WONDERS
O F
NATURE AND ART;
BEING AN
ACCOUNT
O F
Whatever is moft Curious and Remarkable
throughout the WORLD;
Whether relating to its
Animals, Vegetables, Minerals, Volca-
noes, Cataracts, Hot and Cold Springs,
and
Other Parts of Natural FIistory;
OR, to the
Buildings, Manufactures, Inventions,
and Discoveries of its Inhabitants.
The Whole colledled from the Writings of the bef!:
Historians, Travellers, Geographers, and
Philosophers, among which are fome Original
Manufcripts \ interfperfed with pious Observa-
tions and Reflections ; illuilrated with Notes,
and adorned with Copper-Plates.
The SECOND EDITION.
VOL. L '
LONDON:
Printed for Newbery and Carnan, Sons and Sue-
celibrs to the late Mr. John Newbery, at the Bible
and Sun, No. 65. the North Side of St. Paui's
Church-yard, — —
MDCCLXVni.
^4 62^1 1
v.!
THE
PREFACE.
E flatter ourfelves, that in the follow-
W ing work, the reader will find his
€xped:ations anfwered, both with regard
to inftrudion and eatertainmenr. He
will here find a great number of furprizing
and delightful particulars, that have beea
fcattered up and down the writings of a mul-
titude of authors^ which few have fufficient
ability to purchafe, and fewer have leifure
to perufe : I fay, the reader will here find
them collefted into as narrow a compafs as
the nature of the thing will admit, and pub-
lilTied in fucha cheap and eafy manner, that
he will neither have reafon to complain of
theexpence, nor that they require too much
time to be read withouc neglefting more
important affairs. In a word, the purchafer
of this work will have a Ultle library in his
poflefTion, a view of the world as it were in
mimatare: and if in fummer he chufes to
A z
read
IV The PREFACE.
read an hour or two in his garden, or by his
fi/e-fide in a winter's evening, he will doubt-
]efs, with great pleafure and benefit, run
m through the whole ; which, when he has
done, we dare venture to fay, he will nei-
ther think his time or his money ill beftowed.
The mind of man is naturally endowed
with curioficy, and feels a ftrong defire after
knovi^ledge, and we are generally pleafed to
be informed of any of thofe natural or arti-
ficial varieties that have never fallen under
our obfervation. To gratify this, curiofity,
is one defign of the publication of this work ;
and as it is calculated to fuit the tafte of man-
kind in general, we flatter ourfelves it will
meet with proper encouragement. Indeed,
if the variety of curious and interefting fub-
j els treated of, can recommend any per-
rormance, this has certainly that merit equal,
if not fuperior to any that has yet appeared
in the world, What indeed can be a more
entertaining, what a more innocent amufe-
ment to the fenfible part of mankind, than
to fpen/i their leifure hours in reading an ac-
count of thofe wonders of nature^ whether
cn the furface, or in the bowels of the earth,
V/Jiich the^ t'hemfelves can never exped to
obtain
The PREFACE. v
obrain an opportunity of feeing? Indeed,
what can more enlarge the mind ; what caii
afford a more rational delight, than a work
which treats of whatever is moft curious in
natural hiftory ? Is it poflible to read, with-
out a fenfible pleafure, of the beautiful ftruc-
tures, the curious manufactures, thefurpriz-
ing inventions and works of ingenious artifts
in every part of the world, and of the man-
ners and cuiloms of different nations.
But there is another motive yet to be
mentioned, and that none of the leaft, which
induced us to the publication of this work,
and which, we hope, will recommend it to a
favourable reception, viz. the promoting of
religion and virtue. The more we furvey and
contemplate the wonders even of this fmall
part of the univerfe which we inhabit, the
more we muft be led to adore the power, to
admire the wifdom, and to praife the good-
nefs of the great Creator, whofe works are
great and excellent, worthy to be obferved
with the utmoft attention, and adapted to
infpire wonder, Ifjve and reverence. Is it
pofTible to confider the ftrufture of the mi-
nutejl animal^ of the leaft flower, a feather^
or a hair^ without acknowledging the wife
A 3 contrivance
vi The P R E F A C E.
contrivance of the divine hand that formed
it ? If not, how much more muft our admi-
ration be raifed, when we contemplate thofe
wonderful parts of the creation, which will
be defcribed in the courfe of the work here
offered to the public ? In ftiort, we hope it
will tend to convince the atheift-, (if it (hould
fall into the hands of any fuch) that there is
a God; an all-wife, all-powerful, fupreme
Being, the Creator and Governor of the uni-
verfe, whofe wondrous works (according to
Elihu\ advice) we ought to Jtand Jlill and
confider. Job xxxvii. 14.
How thefe fubjeds are handled, muft
be left to the reader's judgment. To fomc,
perhaps, the undertaking may appear a very
• eafy matter, and little more than a heap of
materials compiled from other authors; but
let thofe perfons confider the great com-
pafs of reading neceffary for compleating a
^ work like this, and how difficult it is to find
out the proper materials, to reduce them into
regular order, to reconcile the contradiflions
of different authors, to tender the ftile uni-
form, to diftinguifh between truth and ro-
mance, and,^ in fliort, to travel through a la-
byrinth.
The PREFACE. vU
byrinth, without any clue, without any con-
duftor.
In the annotations, we may venture to fay,
there is fomething to pleafe every palate, and
that even the divine and the philofopher will ^
not think them unworthy their perufal ; bur,
in general, the v^ork is calculated for thofe
who have not the advantage of libraries, or
leifure to turn over many volumes. The
Philofophical Tranfaclions have been of great
fervice to us throughout the whole, and we
have endeavoured lo make choice of the
writings of fuch authors, as have been always
jreckoned perfons of judgment and veracity.
Sir George Wheler, Tournefort, Dr.Derham,
Dr. Shaw, Dr. Pococke, the author of Spec-
tacle de la Nature, and many others that
might be mentioned, are authorities fufficient
to be depended on, and fuch as nobody will
call in queftion. Mr. Moore's travels into
the inland parts of Africa have much affifted
us in fpeaking of that part of the world : Sir
Hans Sloane, and the reverend Mr. Smith,
have furnifhed us with many curious particu-
lars relating to the American iilands and
fome more modern travellers of eftablifhed
reputation have furniflied this edition with
A 4 many
viii The P R E F A C E.
many curious particulars relating to Spani/h
America and the Eaft-Indies. As to the
medicinal virtues of foffils and vegetables,
■we have chiefly relied on Dr. James; and, in
a word, we have ufed our utmoft endeavours
to make our colleftion ufeful in all families,
as well as amufing.
To enumerate all the authors from whom
we have borrowed fomething fuitable to our
purpofe, would be tedious and unneceflary,
as they are frequently quoted in the courfe of
the work. All we defire is a candid perufal
of it, in which cafe we fliall be in no fear of
its not anfwering in the fulleft manner what
is promifed in the title. We are alfo per-
fuaded, that the great number of plates with
which it is adorned, will be a confiderable
recommendation of it, and particularly the
beautiful views we have added to this edition
of the ruins of Athens, Palmyra and Balbec.
The ufe of copper-plates is now generally al-
lowed. Young people are more efpecially
delio-hted with embellifliments of this nature,
and thereby induced to read with double
pleafure : and indeed, by thefe ornaments,
in which theobjedls are in a manner prefented
to the eye, every one is enabled to form a
more
The PREFACE. ix
more perfefl idea of what is defcribed, than
could be conveyed by mere verbal defcrip-
tions.
We have carefully endeavoured to avoid
all needlefs repetitions ; but if the reader
fhould find any fuch, it is hoped he will ex-
cufe them, as it is poflible the lame animal,
vegetable, or foflii, may be mentioned under
different names in different countries. Ic
was almoft unavoidable, indeed, in a work
of this kind, not to make, now and then,
fome addition to a former defcription, as par-
ticulars happened to occur in confulting va-
rious writers ; but in this edition we have
united many of thefe, and where this could
not be fo well done, we have referred to what
has been faid before, whereby the reader is
enabled to find out the whole account, almoit
as readily as if it had been laid before him
in one view.
Since the publication of the firfl edition,'
a work has appeared under a fimilar title, in
which a very confiderable part of this per-
formance has been furreptitioufly printed ia
a very difingenuous manner; both the texc
and notes being generally taken verbatim,
A 5 wit
3c The PREFACE.
without the leaft alteration, or even once
mentioning the work from which they were
tranfcribed ; a proceeding equally unfair and
ungenerous. But this we fliould have paflTed
over in filence, had it not been neceffary juft
to mention it, in order to prevent our incur-
ring the charge of piracy, by making ufeof
our own materials. The prefent edition is»
however, much improved ; for, as we have
already intimated, later writers have been
Gonfulted, and abundance of articles of a
very curious nature have been added.
That fuch enquiries are highly commend-
able, is fcarce to be doubted, fince we cannot
fiippofe that God would have beftawed fo much
cxquifite workmanfhip and Ikill upon his
creatures, to be looked upon with a carelefe
eye, much lefs to have them flighted and
defpifed. "When therefore thofe who make
refearches into the works of nature are afked^
To what purpofe fuch enquiries, fuch pain5y
fuch expence ? The reply is obvious, It is to
anfwer the ends for which God employed
fo much wifdom and power about them,,
and gave us fenfes to view and furvey them.
This is following and tracing him whither
he himfelf leads us, that we may fee and ad-
mire
The PREFACE. xi
ttiire his handy-work ourfelves, and to fet it
forth to others, that they may fee, admire,
and praife it aifo.
But indeed there is no neceffity for an
tincommon and penetrating genius, in order
to be capable of obferving the wonders of the
creation, which are evident to the meanefb
capacity. Remember (fays Elihu) that thou
magnify his work^ which men behold : every man
may fee it^ man may behold it afar off^ Job
xxxvi. 24, 25. Since therefore the works
of God are fo vifible to all, and fuch mani-
feft indications of his being and attributes,
they plainly argue the perverfenefs of the
atheift, and leave him inexcufable : for even
the moft barbarous and ignorant nations have
from thence inferred the exiftence of a deity,
though they have been under great miftakes
in their notions and conclufions about him %
and it is obfervable, that mankind, in all
ages, have naturally and univerfally agreed
in deducing their belief of a God from the
contemplation of his works. So that we are
apt to think, a real atheift is a thing hard to
be met with, and (if there be any fuch) he
may be efteemed a monfter amongft rational
beings, an oppofer of all the world, a rebel
A 6 againfl
xii The PREFACE,
againft human nature and reafon, as well ai
again ft his God-
As the works of the creation are fo many
demonftrations of the wifdom and power of
the Creator, the contemplation of them may
ferve to excite us to the conftant fear of God,
and a fteady obedience to all his laws ; and
thus we may make them ferviceable to our
fpiritual, as they are to our temporal intereft : .
for when we confider them as the works of
our fovereign Lord aiid Mafter, to whom
we are accountable for our thoughts, words
and adlions, this will make us afraid of of-
fending, and defirous of obeying and pleaf-
ing him who is fo wife and powerful a being,
and on whom alone our life and happinefs
depend. This will lead us to pay him that
homage and worfliip which his great mercies
call for from us, and which he is entitled to
by his right of creation and dominion.
Lastly, That infinite goodnefs which
appears in all the works of God will naturally
tend to excite in us due thankfulnefs and
praife. Whoever perufes the following
Iheets, or opens his eyes to furvey the won-
ders that furround him, muft needs admire
the
The PREFACE. xlii
the kindnefs God hath flievvn to his crea-
tures, in providing every thing conducive
to their life and profperity j in contriving
and forming them in the beft manner, pla-
cing them in thofe parts of the globe that
are moft agreeable to their nature, and ac-
commodating them with every thing that
may minifter to their health, happinefs, oc-
cafions, and bufinefs in the world. Upon
this account thankfgiving and praife is fo
juft a debt to the Creator, that the Pfaimift:
calls even upon inanimate beings, x\\q furiy
moofiy and Jlars^ the hail and fnow^ the 7nGun-
tains and hills^ to join in the tribute; but
in a particular manner are mankind of all
ranks and orders, of all ages and fexes,
charged with this duty : Let them praife the
name of the Lord, for his name alone is ex-
cellent \ his glory is above the earth and heaven^
Pfalm cxlviii.
THE
THE
CONTENTS.
JNTRODUCTION, Page i
PART I. Of Europe.
CHAP. I. Of Great Britain and Ire-
land, p. I
Caverns and Springs, — < ibid^
Minerals and Foffils, —
Vegetables, ■ .
Animals, ■ ' 41
Antiquities, »■
Buildings, — « .
Arts, Manufactures, and Fiflieries^ 131
CHAP. 11. France, including Lorrain,
Alsace, &c. ■ 143
Springs, CaveSy &c.^ ■ • ihid^
Vegetables, * — ~- i^g
Animals, — — 156
Antiquities, — — —
Buildings, — — j^q
Arts, Manufa£lures, and Invention-s, 185.
Of the French, ■ «■ 204
CHAP.
ii The contents.
CHAP. III. Of Spain and Portugal, p. 207
Springs, Caves, Lakes, &c. ibid.
Foffils, 210
Vegetables, — — 214
Animals, ■■ 218
Antiquities, ■ 220
Buildings, — 221
Of the Spaniards and Portuguefe, 236
THE
C i ]
THE
INTRODUCTION. /
SINCE the revival of the arts, the progrefs
made in all the fciences is amazing. It is
generally allowed, that the ancients excelled the
moderns in poetry, painting, ftatuary, architec-
ture, and engraving on feals ; which they carried
to the higheft perfection ; but they were entirely
unacquainted with etching and engraving on cop-
per, an admirable art, by which a ftriking rQ-
femblance of objects is exhibited in prints, with-
out the affiflance of a variety of colours. To
them were alfo unknow^n the noble art of print-
ing, the handmaid of the fciences.
The moderns excel the ancients in nothing;
more than in natural philofophy. They have
penetrated much deeper into the recefies of na-
ture, and, by the improvement of the art of che-
miftry, the properties of natural bodies, and par-
ticularly of foflils, have been difcovered. Am.ong
thefe, none has engaged the attention of the
learned fo much as the magnet or load-ftone j
for though its attradlive force was known to the
ancients, they knew nothing of its exciting the
needlQ
il The introduction.
needle to point to the pole, and had no idea of
the ufe of that admirable inftrument the mariners
compafs, Glafs, in fome meafure, appears to
be of the nature of foffils, there being feveral
kinds of thofe fubftances that nearly refemble it.
This was known to the ancients ; but the art of
making it has, fmce their time, been greatly im-
proved, and it is applied to ufes to them un-
known 'y particularly to the making of telefcopes,
burning-glafles and microfcopes. By means of
that modern inftrument, the telefcope, many ftars
have been difcovered, unknown to the ancients ;
the nature and motion of the primary and fecon-
dary planets ; the fpots on the fun ; the inequa-
lities of the furface of the moon ; and, in ftiort,
the fyftem of the univerfe. Glafles of a very dif-
ferent form, are of admirable ufe in giving fight
to the eye dimmed by age, or in bringing diftant
obje£b to the view of thofe who are near-lighted;
The art of making burning-glafles is now brought
to fuch perfection, that by means of them, we
^nay either melt or change the form of the mofl:
folid bodies. In fine, what an abundant room
for fpeculation, and what admirable fources of
knowledge have been difcovered by the affiftance
of the microfcope !
Among the modern inventions, we ought not
to omit that of clocks and watches, and particu-
larly the ingenious Mr. Harrifon's time-piece,
for
The INTRODUCTION- in
for difcovering the longitude ; by which the ina-
riner may, with the greateft eafe, know at any
time how far eaft or weft he has failed from the
port he left.
Our modern philofophers have likewife made
many difcoveries with refpect to air, fire and wa-
ter. Air, though of fo fubtile a nature as to
efcape the fight, has excited the utmoft attention
of the curious. Its weight we can afcertain by
the barometer ; its degree of cold or heat by the
thermometer ; and by the air-pump is (hewn how
necefiary the denfity of that element is to animal
and vegetable life, and the different efFedls its
rarefaction has on different animals.
In late ages, the nature and properties of fire
have been traced, from the invention of gun-
powder and Aurum Fulminans ; the force of the
inflammable damps of mines, fires in volcanoes, &c.
The modern difcoveries, with refpedl to wa-
ter, are numerous and important, as the diving-
bell, in which feveral perfons may live for a con-
fiderable time at the bottom of the fea ; the div-
ing machine, a kind of boat navigated under wa-
ter; and the art of making fait water fre(h.
We have alfo much more accurate accounts of
plants and animals than were known to the an-
cients. The difcoveries in anatomy are very great,
and
iv The INTRODUCTION.
and furgery has met with furprizing improve-
ments.
On this fubjeil it would be eafy to enlarge,
and to trace our modern improvements through
almoft every art, and every fcience ; but it will be
here proper to change the fubjed, and to fay
fomething of the method followed in this work,
which is, we apprehend, at once the moft eafy,
natural, and entertaining. Inftead of difgufting
the reader, and wearying his attention, by dwel-
ling too long on a fubjeft, we fhall lead him
through the feveral countries of the known world,
and give him a view, as they rife, of thofe won-
ders which owe their exiftence to the immediate
hand of God, or are the effeSt of human art and
invention. We hope he will not be difcouraged
by the feeming length of the journey ; for we are
perfuadcd he will find fuch a variety of entertain-
ing objects by the way, as will make him forget
its tedioufnefs, and fully recompenfe the pains he
may take in climbing over the rugged Alps, or
traverfmg the defarts of Africa. Befides, if he
does but duly confider and make proper reflexions
on the furprizing works of Providence, as well as
thofe which the art of man has produced, he will
not only have the pleafure of gratifying his cu-
riofity, but will probably return home with an
enlarged ftock both of piety and knowledge.
In
The introduction, v
In making this tour of the globe, we fhall fol-
low the geographical divifion of it into four parts,
beginning with Europe, and fo proceeding to
Afia, Africa, and America. The feveral coun-
tries we fliall have occafion to mention in each
part of the world, ftiall make a feparat^ chapter,
and the curiofities of each be ranged in their pro-
per clalTes. But the reader is not to expecl, that
every little country, territory, or ifland, will be
treated of diftindly, becaufe many fuch will af-
ford nothing worthy of obfervation, at leaft no-
thing fo very extraordinary and fiirprizing as to
fall within the compafs of our defign. Now and
then, perhaps, we may feem a little immethodical,
as we fliall fometimes crofs over from the conti-
nent to a neighbouring ifland, or launch into the
ocean, and take a view of the wonders of the deep.
However, we ftiall endeavour, as far as poffible,
to obferve a clear and natural method, and to lead
the reader from one country to another, in fuch a
manner, as to give him the moft fatisfadlion,
though he muft not expe£l to find all of them
equally full of the curiofities of art or nature,
I N a work of this kind, it is not improbable
that w^e may omit feveral particulars, which fome
may rank amongft the greateft v^onders of the
world, and infert others which they may reckon
trifling, and fcarce worthy of a place in a curious
jCoIIedion. This indeed feems almoft unavoid-
able ^
vi The introduction.
able ; fome things that deferve admiration, out of
fuch a vaft number as the world afFords, may very
eafily efcape our notice ; and others may appear
to us of greater moment, than in the eyes of thofe
to whom they are more familiar. Add to this,
that it is impoffible to pleafe every tafte; and
therefore, all that we can do in this cafe, is, to
make choice of fuch articles as have been thought
curious and furprifing by the greateft philofophers,
by the moft judicious travellers, and by all who
have made the wonders of nature or art the ob-
jeil of their ftudies and attention.
W E have chofen to begin with Europe, not
only becaufe It is agreeable to the order in which
the parts of the world are ufually placed, but be-
caufe it is natural to take a furvey of the neareft,
before we vifit the remoter regions of the earth ;
though in them the reader may expeft to find the
greateft entertainment. And as it is reckoned a
fault in thofe who travel into diftant countries,
without being firft acquainted with what is re-
markable in their own, we think it proper to giv^c
a fliert account of, the chief curiofities of the Bri-
tifli illes, before we pafs over to the continent. —
Thus much may ferve by way of Introduction 5
let us now proceed to the work itfelf.
PART
THE
WONDERS
O F
NATURE AND ART.
PART L
0/ EUROPE.
CHAP 1.
Of GREAT BRITAIN and IRELAND.
Caverns and Springs.
F all the natural curiofities to be met
)K* O y^^^^ in Britain, none are more famous
M X ^^^^ ^^^^^ P^^'^ Derbylhire,
Ss^XXis^ which are very numerous, but few of
them are taken notice of, except fix, which, with
the duke of Devonftiire's fine feat at Chatfworth,
make up the Seven Wonders of that country.
The moft remarkable of thefe is Elden-Hole,
which is a frightful chafm in a rock, in the midft
of an open field that has a gentle defcent to the
fouth. The mouth of it is about feven yards over
one way, and eighteen or twenty the other; but
downwards, as far as can be perceived, its di-
VoL, lo . B mcnfions
2
The wonders of
menfions grow lefs and lefs. Its depth could never
yet be difcovered, though various attempts have
been made for that purpofe. In the reign of queen
Elizabeth, the earl of Leicefter hired a poor man
to venture down in a bafket, w^hich he accordingly
did, to the depth of more than two hundred yards;
but being drawn up again, he had loft his fenfes,
and died a few days after. Mr. Cotton, the au-
thor of the Wonders of the Peak, let down eight
hundred eighty four yards of line, (eighty of which
were wet) without being able to find a bottom ;
but the defcent not being every where perpendi-
cular, on a fecond trial, the plummet ftopt before
it reached half that depth. When ftrangers go to
fee this hole, it is ufual to throw into it large
ftones, which are heard to rebound from fide to
fide, till the found grows v^eaker and weaker, and
is at length entirely loft.
Poole's Hole, a ftupendous cavern at the foot
©fa mountain, is reckoned the fecond Wonder of
the P>eak. The entrance cf it is very low and
narrov/, but it foon opens into a wide and lofty
concavity, like the inlide of a Gothic cathedral.
The extraordinary heighth of the arch is furpriz-
ing enough, but thofe who have made it ^ quarter
of a mile perpendicular, have gone far beyond the
truth, though in length it exceeds that dnnenfion.
The drops of water v/hich hang from the roof,
and on the fides, have an agreeable ^ffcQ: ; for
.they not only refle£l innumerable rays from the
candles carried by the guides, glittering like dew
futhe funfhine, but, being of a petrifying quality,
they ha|*den in feveral places into various forms,
which, by the help of a ftrong imagination, may
pafs for lions, organs, lanthorns, flitches of bacon,
hcc. a thoufand of which imaginary figures are
Jh^wn you by the country people. I'he Queen of
Scots
NATURE AND ART. ^
Scots Pillar, as it is called, owes its origin to the
fame caufe. It is clear and bright like alabafter,
but probably partakes more of the nature of the
fpar * that is found about lead, with which the
country abounds. This pillar is the boundary of
moft people's curiofity, and is faid to have received
its name from the unhappy princefs when flie vi-
fited that place. A ftream of water runs along
the middle; the noife of which, as it falls among
the rocks, is re-echoed on all fides, and adds to
the aftonifliment of thofe who vifit this vaft con-
cave. The place takes its name from Poole, a
famous robber, who is faid to have lived in thi;
fubterraneous apartment, and whofe kitchen and
bedchamber they pretend to fhew you, if you will
take the pains to creep ten or a dozen yards upon
your hands and knees.
WoKEY-HoLE, near Wells in Somerfetfliire,
is a curiofity of the fame nature as that we have
been defcribing. It is about two hundred yards
* This is a fhining, (lony, mixed Ribflance, which Mr.
.Beaumont (in the Philofophical Tranfa6iions) takes to be a
kind of rock -plant, obibrving that it may be formed three
*ways J I. either from (teams alone 5 or, 2. from fteams coa-
gulating dew as it falls on the ground, or water ifliiing from
the joints of rocks; or, 3. it may grow from earths and
clny^. Inftances of the hrft kind are frequent in grottos,
where fpars produced from fteams hang like icicles, from the
■ fides of whicli many times ifTiie little plants fliooting upwards,
, contrary to the tendency of the others. Of the fecond kind
arc thofe cryftals (a fort of fpars) which are produced by a
coagulation of dew falling on nitrous ftones. And as to the
third kind, Mr. Beaumont gives inftances of it in the mines
of Mendip hills, in fome of which there is a fteam incumbent
upon the earth at the bottom, from whence flioot up little
fpires, which grow to the heighth of a man^s finger, the
biggeft about an inch in diameter. Tliefe fpires begin on t{)e
tops to be congealed, and Co gathering a crull downwards by
'r degrees, they are at Jaft turned into an abfolute white fpar
, or Iton^?.
4 The WONDERS of
in length, and the roof, in the higheft part, is
about eight fathoms from the floor, but in fome
places it is fo low, that one muft ftoop to pafs.
The people that fhew this cave, point to feveral
pretended figures of men and women, dogs, bells,
organs, &c. which are owing to the fame caufe as
thofe in Elden-Hole, above-mentioned. A cur-
rent of water runs through it, in which, it is faid,
trouts and other fifti have been formerly obferved;
but how they came there, it is difficult to conceive.
The echo here is very furprizing; and the place,
taken all together, feems awful and tremendous.
The next wonder is what is ufually called the
Devirs Arfe in the Peak, which is a large opening
in the fide of a fteep mountain, almoft in the form
of an arch, being above thirty feet perpendicular,
and more than twice that breadth at the bottom.
There are feveral fmall cottages built on each fide
within the entrance, whofe inhabitants in a great
meafure fubfift by guiding ftrangers into the ca-
vern. Its width foon diminiflies, for after crofling
one ftream of water, the roof gradually defeends,
till it is fo lovy, that a man cannot ftand upright
under it ; but (looping for a little way, and paffin;^
over another ftream, you find it more lofty. Then
proceeding on, you come to a third rivulet, where
the rock ftoops, as it were, almoft to the furface
of the water, and prevents all farther fearch into
thefe dark receffes. The vault, in feveral places,
makes a noble appearance, and being chequered
with various- coloured ftones, its beauty is admired
by every fpedtator.
There is a mountain called Mam Tor, (that
is. Mother Tower, or Mother Rock) which is
reckoned among the Seven Wonders of the Peak,
becaufe (fay they) it is continually mouldering
away, and produce^ other hills at the bottom of it,
but
NATURE A N D A R T. 5
but is not at all diminiftied itfelf. The matter is
this : on one fide of the mountain is a very large
and fteep precipice, the fubftai«:e of which being
a loofe earth mingled with fmall ftones, is conti-
nually crumbling and falling down, fometimes in
large quantities, when wafhed off by heavy rain s^
and thus contributes to raife a hill at the foot of it^
the increafe of which is eafily perceived, though
the great mountain is not fenfibly diminifli.ed : fo
that this is rather a Fictitious than a Real wonder.
Buxton Wells are alfo reckoned one of the
Wonders of the Peak, which, befides their medici-
nal virtues, have this furprizing particular, that
within five feet of one of the hot fprings, there
arifes a cold one^ The hot waters of this place
are preferred by Dr. Leigh and others to thofe at
Bath, the ufe of them never being attended with
the ill confequences which have fometimes been
experienced from the latter. The water is ful-
phureous, and contains a fmall quantity of faline
particles, but none of vitriol ; fo that it is not
fetid, but more palatable than moft other medici-
nal waters ; neither is it purgative, becaufe the
faline parts are difpenfed in fuch fmall proportions.
The heat of it is equal to that of the blood or new
milk, procuring a moderate perfpiration ; and it is
remarkable for gently relaxing the folids, fo as in-
ftantly to take off the ftifFnefs and v/earinefs oc-
cafioned by a journey. Thefe waters are often
recommended by phyficians, both for drinking
and bathing, in moft cafes that can be relieved by
fuch methods, particularly in fcorbuttc, rheumatic,
or nervous diforders. That they were efteemed
in the time of the Romans, appears from a high
road or caufey, and the ruins of the ancient Ro-
man bath, which are ftill to be difcerned. The
duke of Devonfhire has built a large and conve-
B 3 iiient
6
The wonders of
nient houfe here for the reception of flrangers ^
the bath-room is arched over-head, and tv/enty
people may bathe in it at a time. Befides the
principal fprings which are at the village of Bux-
ton, there are many others that rife unregarded in
the neighbouring inclofures, and on the fides of.
the hills, fo that their number can fcarcebe known.
The laft wonder of this kind to be mentioned
here, is Tidefwell, or Weedenweil, afpring vvhiclr^
according to fome writers, ebbs and flows regularly
like the fea. That it does ebb and flow is cer-
tain, but it is at very unequal periods, fometime/
not once in a day or tv/o, and fometimes twice in
an hour. The bafon of the fpring Is about a yard-
deep, and the fame in length and breadth. \\ hen
it flows, the water rifes with a bubbling noife, as-
if the air, which was pent up within the cavities of
the rock, was forcing itfelf a paflage by driving the
water before it : or perhaps the Tpring may now
and then receive an extraordinary fuppiy from the
overflowings of fome internal body of virater, lying
upon a higher level, — But we leave this phaeno-
menon to be explained by philofophers.
At a village named Matlock, upon the banks
of the Derwent, lo miles to the north-weft of
Perby, are feveral warm fprings, ca;lled Matlock
Wells. To accommodate thoie who are direfted
to ufe them externally, a bath has been conPcrnSicdy
inclofcd in a proper building, lined with lead, and
large enough to receive eight or ten people at a
time, who defcend into it by fteps made for that
purpofe. The water that fupplies this bath, which
is but juft milk-warm, illues from a rock in amoft
delightful plain, about a mile in circumference,
furrounded by rocky hills, and a rapid ftream.
I'hefe waters ufed internally, arefaid to attenuate,
heat, and rarify the bloody externally, they arc?
lecomijiendcd
NATURE AND ART. 7'
recommended in the rheumatifm, and all diforders
of the (kin. Thefe Wells are much frequented,
and would be more fo, were it not for the want of
accommodations on the fpot, and the ftony moun-
tainous road that leads to them.
As we are upon the fubjedl of Springs, let us
now confider thofe famous ones at Bath, in Somer-
fetfhire, the great place of refort for our nobility
and gentry at certain feafons, not only for the cure
of difeafes, but for gallantry and diverfion. The
moft renowned of thefe hot fprings lie near the
cathedra], and are colledled into a fquare area,
called the King's Bath, about 57 feet long and
40 broad, with a neat building before it, called
the Pump-Room, for company to meet in who
drink the water, which is conveyed thither by
pump from the bottom of the fprings, where it is*
ahnoft boiling hot*. The walls of the bath are-
full of niches, perhaps the work of the Romans.
There is a parapet or baluftrade, with a walk'
round it, and fteps to defcend into it at every'
corner.— Behind the fouth-wall of this bath is an-
other, called the Queen*s-Bath, which is a lefs
fquare, being 25 feet long, and 24 broad. ItSi
water, being borrowed from the former, is of a'
more moderate warmth. — In the fouth-weft part
of the town are two other baths; one called the
Hot Bath, which is an oblong fquare 30 feet in
langth, and 13 in breadth; and the other the-
Crofs Bath f , which is of a triangular form, and-
A 4 received
* It is remarkable, that at the cleanfing of the fprings^
wlien they fct down a new pump, they conlhntly find great
numbers of hazle-nuts, which Dr. Stukely fuppofes to be ti>e'
rclicks of the univerfal deluge; and leaves, like thofe of;
olives, come fometimes out of the pump of the Hot-Bath.
f In this bath, when the weather is very hot, there i«
ibmetimes obferved a certain .blsuik fl/ fhapediike a ladyrcow,
which
8 The WONDER S of
received its name from a crofs that formerly ftood '
in the middle of it. The overflowing of this bath
forms another for lepers and poor people; and a
cold bath has alfo been eredled by contribution at
a fpring beyond the bridge.
In the King's-Bath there is the figure of king
Bladud, with an infcriptjon underneath, intimat-
ing, that this prince found out the ufe of thefe
baths three years before the coming of our Saviour.
But though we cannot give entire credit to thi»
infcription, it is certain they were famous for
their medicinal virtues in the time of the Romans.
Ptolemy calls them the Hot Waters, and Anto-
ninus mentions them under the title of Waters
of the Sun, to the influence of which luminary
their heat was fuppofed to be owing ; but there is
a much more rational way of accounting for this
as well as their other qualities. Almofl: every
one knows, that heat in any degree may be pro-
duced by a proper mixture of fulphur and filings
of iron, moiftened with common water. Now
the hills from whence the Bath waters flow, con-
tain a large quantity of fulphureous or bituminous
matter and iron ore, which, impregnating the
water as it pafl^es through them, give it that Heat,
Milkinefs, and Detergency, which it fo eminently
poflefles.
. It is fuppofed, that for many hundred years,
thefe waters were ufed only externally, by way of
bathing; whereas, of late, the internal application
of them has been found of extraordinary fervice
in many cafes *• They have a fulphureous and
fleely
v^hich lives unc^er the water, and is fuppofed to come up with
the Ipiings. — The water of the Crofs Bath corrodes filver
very faft ; and the Bath waters in general will prey uponiron^
biit feem to have rto iuch efFe6l upon brafs.
* Though Drinking the Bath waters, as Dr. Jones aflurcs
NATURE AND ART. 9
fteely tafte, and are wonderfully grateful to the
ftomach, creating no heavinefs or naufea, but
raifing the fpirits, and procuring an appetite.
They are of fovereign ufe in rheumatifms, old
aches or pains, palfies, nervous diforders, and in
all complaints that are comprehended under the
name of Cold Difeafes. In reftoring decaye^i
conftitutions they are of furprizing efficacy, as
they ftrengthen the bowels, recover their loft tone,
and renew the vital heat. In a word, if they are
not taken in too large a quantity and a proper
regimen be obferved, they are capable of perform-
ing wonders 5 though fometimes^ for v^ant of care
in thefe refpecls, the ufe of them is attended with
ill confequences, and their credit is unjuftly called^
in queftion.
The Hot-Well, or water of St. Vincent's Rock
near Briftol, muft not be paffed over in lilence.
Not many years fince, this fpring lay open at the
foot of the rock, and was covered by the fait water
every tide; but the well is now fecured, a good-
pump fixed in it, and a handfome houfe built near
it, for the entertainment of diftempered perfons.
us, was pra6tifed in his time, about a hundred and fifty years
ago J yet the pra61ice was afterwards fo univerfally laid afide,
that it was not known at the reftoration : nor was it till the
yeai 1691, when M!\ George Long was furprizingly cured
of a conliitution broken v/ith the gout and itone, by the in*
ternal u(e of thefe waters, that people in general began to
drink them, as a great alterative, ihengthening, and baU
famic medicine.
* The ufual quantity is from a pint to two quarts in a
morning, according to the direction of the phyfician, who
(hould always be confulted. The ufe of them for five or fix
weeks at a time is generally long enough, though many have
drank them loi^.ger with good AiGcefs. Thofe who drink too
much commonly lofe their appetite, and bring upon them-
felves a fick ftomach ; but this is remedied by a few doie«.c^f
bitter wine in a raorning^ and a gentle purge.
JO The W O ND E R S of
This water is of excellent ufe in all fcorbiuic and
inflammatory cafes, in hecSlic fevers, the diabetes^
and all preternatural evacuations. It is of fervice
in the firit ftages of a confumption, and correfts
the acrimony of the juices, being of a foft alcaline
quality, derived from the ratural limeftone with
which it is impregnated. It is obferved to retain
its virtues longer than other medicinal waters,
which makes the demand for it the greater by thofe
who cannot have recourfe to the fountain-head ;
and accordingly vaft quantities of it are fent in
bottles, not only all over this kingdom, but to
moft parts of the trading world.
The Spaw waters of Scarborough in Yorkfhire
are now fo celebrated, that great numbers of our
nobility and gentry refort thither annually, and.
the place feem$ to rival even B^th itfelf. They
operate both by ftool and urine, like the waters of
Pyrrnont in Germany, having an evident tinfture
of iron, vitriol, alluni, and nitrous fait, to which
Jafl they owe their purgative quality. They
create an appetite, promote digeftion, and gently
crapty the bowels, without caufing gripes, fick-
nefs, of naufea, which are frequently the efteds
cf artificial purges. In all kinds of inflammations,
in rheumatic and fcorbutic cafes, and in any weak-
nefs of the fpermatic or urinary vefTels, they are
looked upon as a fovereign remedy. They agree
beft with perfons of flrong nerves, and firm con-
ftittitions, but are not proper for thofe who labour
under paralytic, hyfteric, or hypochondriac dif-
orders, nor for thofe who are fubjeft to, fits or
convulfions — The waters of Cheltenham inGlou-
cefterfhirg are reckoned much of the fame nature.
Here it may be proper to mention a remarkable
accident that happened at Scarborough in De-
cember I737> whereby thefe famous waters bad
like
- NATURE AND A R T. ii
like to have been entirely loft. The fpring was
lituated at the foot of a high cliff, part of which,
about two hundred and twenty-four yards in
length, and thirty-fix in breadth, containing near
an acre of pafture-land, was on a fudden rent
from the top of it, and having continued finking
for feveral hours, at laft fettied about feventeeii
yards perpendicular below its former fituation.
By the preflure of fuch a vaft weight, being fome
hundred thoufand tons, the earth and fand beyond;
it towards the fea, where people ufed to walk whp
came to drink the waters, rofe upwards for a hun-
dred yards in length, near twenty feet above its
former level. The Spaw-Houfe rofe with the
reft, but the water foon failed, and was gone.
However, after diligent fearch, the fpring was
again difcovered, and upon trial, its virtues ap-
peared to be rather increafed than diminifhed by
this difafter.
Before Scarborough became In vogue, Knaref-
borough, in the fame county, was much frequented,
and is ftill remarkable for its mineral v/aters, of
which there are four fprings, not far diftant from
one another, but very different in their nature and.
effefts. — The firft is the Sweet Spaw, or Vitriolic
Well, difcovered about the year 1620, and al-
lowed by phyficians to be a fovereign remedy in.
fome particular diftempers. — The fecond is the
Stinking Spaw, or Sulphur Well, the water of
which is clear, but fo fetid and naufeous to the
fmell, that people are forced to hold their nofes^
when they drink it; but it is now chiefly ufed by
bathing. It is faid to be good for the dropfy,
fplcen, fcurvy, gout, rheumatifm, and paralytic
diforders. — The third is a cold bath, called St.
Mongah's, from a Scottifli faint much honourc4
in thofe^parts. — The fourth is the Dropping Well,
B 6 the
12
The wonders of
the moft famous of all the petrifying waters in
England. It drops from a porous rock, and the
ground upon which it fell, for twelve yards long^
is now changed into folid ftone. The little ri-
vulet that runs from this well falls into the Nid,
where it has formed a rock that ftretches fome
yards into the river.
TuNBRiDGE Wells, in Kent, fhould not be
omitted, now we are treating of medicinal waters.
They are famous for their good effects in cold
chronical difeafes, they ftrengthen the nerves,
and help digeftion. In fhort, their virtues, and
the pleafantnefs of the place, draw much com-
pany thither in the fummer-feafon.
There are feveral other fprings in England
remarkable for their healing qualities ; but per-
haps there is no greater curiofity of this kind than
the Burning-Well, as it is called, at AnclifF,
near Wigan in Lancafhire. The water itfelf is
cold, nor has it any fmell; but there is a ftrong
fulphureous vapour that ilfues out with the water,
and makes it bubble up as if it boiled, which,
•upon applying a lighted candle to it, prefently
takes fire, and the furface of the well is covered
with a flame, like that of burning fpirits/ This
flame will continue feveral hours in calm weather,
and emits fuch heat, that meat may be boiled
over it ; but the water, when taken out of the
well, will not burn at all.
In feveral parts of Chefhire are fait fprings,
particularly at Namptwich, Middlewich, and
Northwich, which are called the Saltwiches, and
alfo at Dimham, which is about fix miles diftant
from each of the other towns. The depth of the
pits feldom exceeds four yards, and is never more
than feven. In two places in Namptwich the
ipring breaks out in the meadows, fo ^s to fret
away
NATURE ANi> ART. 13
away the grafs ; and a fait liquor ouzes through
the earth, which is moorifh, to a confiderable
diftance. The fait fprings at Namptwich are
about thirty miles from the fea, and generally lie
along the river Weaver: yet there is an appear-
ance of the fame vein at Middelwich, nearer a
little ftream, called the Dan than the Weaver.
All thefe fprings lie near brooks, and in meadow-
grounds. The water is fo very cold at the bottom
of the pits, that the briners cannotftay in them above
half an hour at a time, nor fo long, without drink-
ing frequently ftrong waters. Some of thefe fprings
afford much more water than others ; but it is ob-
ferved, that there is more fait in any given quan-
tity of water drawn from the fprings that yield
little, than in the fame quantity drawn from thofe-
that yield much. It is alfo very remarkable, that
more fait is produced from the fame quantity of
brine in dry weather, than in wet. Whence the
brine of thefe fprings is fupplied, is a queftion that
has never yet been finally determined : fome have
fuppofed it to come from the fea, and fome from
fubterraneous rocks of fait, which were difcovered
in thefe parts about the middle of the laft century.
It is not probable, that this water comes from the
fea, becaufe a quart of fea water will produce no
more than an ounce and a half of fait ; but a
tjuart of water from thefe fprings will often pro-
duce feven or eight ounces.
There is likewife a remarkable fpring of felt
water at Barton, near Ormfkirk in Lancaftiire,
v/here a quart of water will produce eight ounces
of fait. In many parts of the coaft of thiscounty^
the inhabitants raife great heaps of fand, which,,
after having lain fome time, they put into troughs
full of holes at the bottom, pour water on it, and
boil the lees into white fait*
But
14
The wonders of
But to return; the Mole, a river of Surry,
after running feveral miles from its fource, dif-
appears at the bottom of Boxhill, near Darking,
and pafles under ground into a place called the
Swallow. This river has been fuppofed to run
two miles under the earth to Leatherhead ; but
fome later autb :ts are of opinion, that the ftream
of the Mole is entirely loft at the Swallow, and is
not the fame that rifes at Leatherhead, which
forms another river, though, from a belief of its
being the fame, it obtained the fame name.
Holy-Well, or St. Winifred's well, inFlint-
fhire, is famous for the wonderful cures it has
efFefted, particularly upon cripples, who have fre-
quently left their crutches there as monuments of
their recovery. This fountain ifllies from a rock
into a cavity formed like a bafon or ciftern, in
which the patients bathe. The water is remark-
ably cold, and the ftream fo large and rapid, that
it turns feveral mills a little below its fource. It
is well known what extraordinaty effefts are pro-
duced by CoH Bathing; but many of the country
people ftill believe the cures wrought by this well
are miraculous, and that it ow^es its origin (ac-
cording to an ancient tradition) to the blood of a
Chriftian virgin named Winifred, who was be-
headed here by a Pagan tyrant, becaufe flie would
Hot yield to his unchafte defires.
Moffat Wells, which fpring from a rock-
near a town of that name in Annapdale, are the
moft remarkable medicinal fountains in Scotland*
There are two of them, not far from each other ;
the uppermoft of which run^ through whitifti ftones^
refemblingcryftal, and the Ipwer through blackiflx
ones of the colour of antimony. Thefe waters,
are diuretic, emetic, and cathartic, ppwerfuUy
removing all obftructioas of the bow-ds, aud there-
NATURE AND ART. 15
fore very good againft the cholic and nephritic
diforders. They are alfo of fervice to remove
pains in the joints, and to heal ulcers, when out-
wardly applied.
We lhall conclude this account of natural
caves and fprings w^ith obferving, that near Pen-
rife, in Glamorganfhire, there is a promontory,
which is the moft wefterly point of the county,
and is called Warmfhead Point; it ftretches about
a mile into the fea, and, at half flood, the Ifthmus,
which joins it to the main land, is overflown, fo
that it becomes then a fmall ifland. Towards the
extremity of this point, there is a fmall cleft or
crevice in the ground, into which, if dufl: or fand
be thrown, it will be blown back again into the
air J and if a perfon applies his ear to the crevice j
he will hear diftin£lly a deep noife, like that of a
large pair of bellows : thefe phasnomena are attri*
buted ro the undulatory motion of the fea, uxider
the arched and rocky hollow of this promontory,
which occafions an alternate infpiration and ex-
piration of the air through the cleft.
Minerals and Fossils,
AMONG the various metals and minerals
produced in England, none is more confi-
derable than its Tin ; the greatefl part of the tin
confumed in Europe being procured from the
mines in Cornwall. The chymifts look upon tin
as a fpecies of imperfedl metal, generated of two
different feed», viz. that of filver, and that of
}ead, which renders it a kind of compound of
both ; and accordingly it is frequently found both
in lead and filver mines : but that it has alfo its
wa proper mines, thofe in the county above-
mentioned^
i6 The WONDERS or
mentioned, as well as in Devonfhire *, are zrv
abundant evidence. It is not clear, how long the
tin-mines have been difcovered or worked ; fome
carrying it fo high as the time when the Phoeni-
cians were a trading people. This however is
certain, that the ancient Britons, if not the Ro-
mans, found their account in them ; but they feem
rather to have been negleded than improved by
the Saxons. After the coming in of the Normans,
the earls of Cornwall had vaft revenues from thefe
mines, efpecially Richard, brother to king Henry
the third. The tinners were afterwards regulated in
fuch a manner, as much contributed to encourage
th^ adventurers, a charter being granted by Ed-
mund, earl Richard's brother, with feveral im-
munities i who alfo framed and ratified with his
own feal the Stannary laws f, laying a certain
duty upon the tin, payable to the earls of Corn-
wall. King Edward the third confirmed, and even
enlarged their privileges, and eroded Cornwall
Though very little tin is now dug in Devon (hire, yet in^
king John's time there was more found in that county than
in Cornwall, the coinage of Devonfhire being then farmed
for a hundred pounds ptr annum, whereas that of Cornwall
yielded but a hundred marks. And according to this pro-
portion, the tenth thereof, amounting to 13 s. 4 d. is
at this day paid by the crown to the bifhop of Exeter.
•f- Thefe are laws relating to the tinneis and tin-mines,.-
which from Stannum (tin) are called Stannaries. In Corn-
wall there are five (lannary-courts, which have their refpe61ivc
jurifdiftions, and as many towns where the tin muft be^
brought to be ftamped, which ftamping they call Coinage,
for which a certain duty is paid. The ftamp is the feal of the
dutchy, and the towns are, Lefkara, Leftwithiel, Truro,
H'elfton, and Penzance. The coinage-towns in Devonfhire
are, Plimpton, Taviftock, Afhburton, and Cliagford. When'
all the legal duties are fatisfied, the tinner may fell his th\
where he thinks fit ; only, if the king or the duke of Corn^
wall hnve a mind to buy it, they have n right of pre-emption. '*
into
NATURE AND ART. 17
into a dukedom, with which he invefted his fon,
Edward the Black Prince ; and fince his time,
the heirs apparent to the crown of England (if
eldeft fons) have enjoyed it fucceflively.
The working of the tin-mines is very hard and
dijfficult, not only by reafon of the great depth to
which they are ibmetimes obliged to fink their
fhafts or pits, even as low as threefcore fathom;
but alfo becaufe the rocks they fometimes meet
with, through which a paflage is to be Cut, are
fo hard, that the workman can fcarce dig a foot
in a week. The foft fhaking earth found in thefe
mines is alfo very troublefome to the miners, on
account of the unwholefome vapours it exhales,
and the currents of water that frequently iffue
from it. When the ore is dug and drawn out of
the mine, it is there broke to pieces with large
hammers, and then carried to a ftamping-mill,
where it is pounded ftill fmaller, and the water
palling through, wafhes away the earthy parts,
leaving the metallic ones behind. '( his done,
they dry it in a furnace on iron-plates, and grind
it to powder in a crafmg-mill ; after which they
wafh it again, and dry it ; and in this ftate the
metallic matter is called Black tin. To convert
it into White tin, that is, into metal, they carry^
it to a furnace or blowing-houfe ; where, by means
of a charcoal fire, kept up by huge bellows worked
by water, it is fmelted ; and when it is cold, they
forge it, which is the laft thing done to it in the
works. Two pounds of black tin, when melted,
yield about one of white. — It is remarkable, that
the drofs or fcoria fcummed off the tin in fufion,
and melted down with frefli ore, runs, into metal ;
and even the matter waftied and feparated from the
metal in the mill, being thrown up in heaps,
after refting fix or feven years, will, by fetching
i8 The WONDERS of
it over again, (as they term it) yield as good tirx
as that of Germany.
In no part of Europe is found richer copper
than in Cornwall, though the mines have not
bieen worked with confiderable advantage much
more than fixty years. It is there difcovered in a
vail variety of ores, the moft common of v/hich
is of a yellow brafs colour ; but there are fome
red, fome grey, fome black, fome blue, and fome
green : the black, blue, and green yield but little;
the grey contains more metal than the yellow,
and the red m.ore than the grey. There are be-
fides, in moft of the mines, confiderable quantities
of malleable copper, which, from its purity, the
miners term Virgin Ore. This is combined and
allayed with various fubftances ; fometimes with
bafe cryftal, fometimes with a gravelly clay, and-
fometimes with the ruft of iron : its figure is alfo.
very various ; fometimes it is in thin plates, fhaped'
like leaves; fometimes in drops and lumps; fome-
times branched, fringed, or twifted into wires
fometimes it fhoots into blades, crolfed at the top
like a dagger; and fometimes it has the appear-
ance of hollow filagree : it has alfo been found in
powder, little inferior in lufl:re to that of gold ;
and likewife in foiid mafles of feveral pounds
weight, maturated, unmixed, and highly po-
lifhed ; and fometimes in a congeries of com-
bined granules. The water in which the copper
ore is waftied, has been lately difcovered to make,
blue vitriol of the beft kind; and the water w^hich
comes from the bottom of the mines, is fo ftrongly
impregnated with copper, that was it detained in
proper receptacles,, it would produce great. quan-
tities of malleable copper, without any hazard or
attendance, and with little more charge than the
purchafe of a much lefs quantity of the moft ufelefs
NATURE AND ART* 19
old iron ; which being immerfed in this water,
will, in about fourteen days, produce more than
its weight of what is called Copper Mud ; whence
may be obtained a great proportion of pure copper.
There is another mineral found in the tin-
mines, called Mundick, which the tinners ufed
carefully to feparatefrom the tin, becaufe it made
it thick and curdy; whence it was thrown afide
and neglcclcd, as of no value. In the laft cen-
tury, however, Sir Gilbert Clark and others be-
gan to make trial of the Mundick, and found it
afforded as good copper as that of Sweden ; and
the Work is now brought to fuch perfeftion, that
tlie copper extrafted from this ufelefs ore (as it
vvas thought to be for many ages) is faid to bring
in annually above 150,000!. — The Mundick emits
a fufFocating vapour, very troublefome to the min-
ers ; and yet it is found to be a good vulnerary ;
for they ufe no other remedy for their wounds,-
but wafhing them in water that runs from the
Mundick ore.
In the copper mines of this county, filver has'
been frequently found, and fmall quantities of
gold have been fometimes discovered in the tin ore,
Cornwall alfo produces lead and iron. Here are
likewife a great variety of cryftals, with a conli-*
derable number of femi-mctals, as fpeltre, biz-
muth, zink, antimony, lapis caiiminaris, black-
lead, and cobalt, a fubftance containing zafFer,
fmalt, and arfenic.
In Cornv/all are likewife fome quarries of
marble, and a ftone called the Warming Stone,,
which, on being once heated, will continue warm
eight or ten hours, and is faid to relieve fcveral
kinds of pain, efpecially that which arifes from
the internal hemorrhoides. The fwimming ftone
has alfo been found in a copper mine near Red-
rath.
ao The WONDERS of
ruth, a town not far from St. Ives Bay, on the
north coaft : it confifts of reftilinear lamina, as
thin as paper, interfering each other in all di-
regions, and leaving unequal cavities between
them 'y a ftrufture which renders the ftone fo cel-
lular, as to fwim in water. Here have likewifc'
been found feveral kinds of the afbeftos, a ftone fo
fibrous, that a kind of linen has been made of it,
which fire would not confume, and of which we
fliall give a more particular account in treating of
the folTils of Italy. *
Lead, though found in various countries, a-
bounds particularly in England; but of all the
mines, thofe in Derbyftiire and Somerfetftiire are
the moft remarkable. It will be fufficient to take
notice of thofe in the laft-mentioned county,
which are in Mcndip-hills f, and afford vaft quan-
tities of this ufeful metal. The ore fometimes
runs in veins, fometimes difperfed in banks, and
often lies between rocks. Some of it is harder,
fome fofter. There is a fpar about it, which is
white, tranfparent. and brittle like glafs ; and
another fubftance they call Crootes, a white ftone,
^foft, mealy, and marl'd with ore. That ore is
beft which is cleareft and heavieft^ whereof thir-
ty-fix hundred will yield about a ton of lead. The
foil about thefe mines is red and ftony ; and the
ftones that are waftied by the brooks and fprings
are ponderous, and of a reddifli colour.
* See vol. II. p. 25, 26, and 27.
f It feems any Engiifhman may wcrk in tbefe mines, who
has not forfeited his right by (baling any ore or tools belong-
ing to another workman. In cafe of fuch theft> then cuftom
is very remarkable. The criminal is fluit up in a flight hut,
furrounded with dry furze, fern, Sec, which being fet on fire,
he is permitted to break down the hut, and make his efcape
through the flame a^ well as he can, but inuft: never v.^ork or
be employed any more about the mines of that place* This
they call Buixing the Hi^l,
The
NATURE ANB ART. 21
The Groovers (for fo the miners are called,
as the ftiaft of a mine is called a Groove) work in
frocks and waiftcoats by the light of candles,
which, if they have air enough, will laft three or
four hours. They feldom meet with damps, but
now and then water breaks in upon them ; in
which cafe they drive an adit, or new paffage,
upon a level, till it is dry. To empty the water
out of the mines, they ufe leather bags that will
hold eight or nine gallons a-piece, which arc
drawn up to the top by ropes. The tools they
work with are fo hardened, as to make an im-
preffion upon the head of an anvil, and yet they
often break them in an hour's time. When they
meet with a black ftone, they reckon it a bad fign,
as leading to a rock that will hinder their works;
the nearnefs of which is alfo indicated by a fliort
brittle clay. Having got the ore out of the mine,
they beat it fmall, wafli it in a running ftream,
and fift it in iron rudders. Then upon a hearth
or furnace (which is made of clay or fire-ftone,
and fet in the ground) they lay a quantity of
oaken gads, which they light with charcoal, and
blow with bellows worked by mens feet. When
the fire- plate is hot, they throw the ore on the
wood, which melts down into the furnace, from
whence they take it out with an iron ladle, and
call it upon fand into what form they pleafe.
The fmoke of the lead- works is a very great an-
noyance to the workmen, and fubjedts them to a
mortal difeafe, as it does the cattk, if fufFered to
graze thereabouts. The trees that grow near
them have their tops burnt, and their leaves and
bark difcoloured and fcorched. But to prevent
;is much as poflible the inconvenience of fmoke
upon a ftiifting wind, they have furnaces for
sielting the .ore about five feet high, fixed upon
timber.
22 The wonders of
timber, fo as to be turned about like a wind-mil L
In this they put the ore, with a ftrong coal-fire
upon it, and as it melts, it runs through a canal
on one fide, leaving the earth, ftone and fcoria,
with the aihes of the coals.
Near Wrinton, in this county, are mines of
Lapis Calaminaris, or Calamine Stone, which is
of Ibme ufe in medicine *, but more in foundery,
being ufed to convert copper into brafs. It is
-ufually dug out of the mines in fmall pieces, hav-
ing frequently eyes, and fometimes veins of lead.
When dug, it is wafhed in running water, which
carries off the impure and earthy parts, leaving
the lead, calamine, and other fparry parts, at the
bottom. It is then put into a fieve, and well
iliaken in water ; after which it is baked in an
oven four or five hours, then beaten to powder
and fifted ; and thus it is fit for ufe. The
manner of making brafs is this : the calamine
being calcined, as above, and reduced to a fine
powder, is mixed with ground charcoal, and in-
corporated into a mafs. Thus prepared, about
feven pounds of calamine are put into a melting-
pot, and over it about five pounds of copper ;
which is let down into a wind-furnace eight feet
deep, and having remained there eleven or twelve
hours, is converted into brafs. After melting, it
is caft into plates or lumps.
About Mendip-hills there is great plenty of
Coal, which almoit every one knows to be a black,
fulphureous, inflammable matter, dug out of the
earth, and ferving as common fuel. It is to be
found indeed in moft parts of Europe, but the
Englifli coal is of greateft repute even in foreign
countries, and makes a cojnfiderable article of
♦ It IS aftrlngent, deficative, and deterfive; much ufcd
'fbr taking off films from the eyes of horfes, &cc.
our
NATURE AND ART.
our commerce. The Mendip coal-mines, .accor-
ding to Dr. Beaumont, (who lived among thofe
hills, and \yas a curious enquirer into the works
of nature) are very much fubjedl to Fire-Damps *,
by
* Mr. Jeflbp, in the Philofophical Tranra6}ions, gives an
account ot four forts of damps in mines. The Evil and mod
common is that whofe approach the workmen are fenfible of
by the flame of the candle's becoming orbicular, and leflen-
ing by degrees, till it goes quite out 5 as alfo by their fhort-
neTs of breath. Thofe who efcape fwooning, receive no great
harm thereby j but thofe who fwoon away, though they are
not quite fuffocated, are tormented with violent convulfions
on their firft recovery. The ordinary remedy is to lay the
perfon down on his belly, with his mouth to a hole dug in
the ground; but if this fail, they make him drink his fill of
good ale ; and if that will not do, they judge his cafe def-
perate. — The fecond is the Peafe-Bloom damp, To called from
its fmell, which never happens but in fummer-time, and is
not found to be mortal. The miners in the Peak fuppofe it
to proceed from the red trefoil-flowers, called by them Honey-
fuckles, which grow thereabouts in great abundance. — The
third is the molt peftilentiai and moft ftrange of all ; for they
fay it is ieen hanging to the roof of thofe pafTages in a mine
that branch out from the main groove, in a round form as
big as a foot-ball, and covered with a fkin like a fpider's
web. If this be broken by any accident, the damp imniedi-
ately flies out, and fuffocates all that are near it; therefore
the workmen, by the help of a ftick and a long rope, have a
way of breaking it at a diftance; after which they purify the
place well with fire before they venture in again. They
imagine it to be the fkam arifmg from their bodies and die
candles, which, condenfmg in the higheil part of the vault;
at length contrails a film, corrupts, and becomes pelHlentiah
-—The fourth, called the Fulminating or Fire-Damp, is a
yapour, which, being touched by the workmcns candies, pre-
fently takes fire, giving a report like a gun, and pjoducing
all the efle^ls of lightning. The fmoke proceeding from this
damp is of the fmell and colour of that from gunpowder.
It is fometimes found in lead-mines, but mofl frequently in
coal pits.
Naturalifts give us very furprlzing accounts of the effects
damps, a few initances of which may perhaps be agreeable
to , the reader. In the Hiftory of the Academy of Sciences,
anii'f 7 10, we are informed, that a baker of Chartres, hav-
ing
24 The WONDERS of
by which many men have been killed, maimed,
or miferably burnt. Some have been blown up
at the mouth of the works j and the turn-beam,
that hangs over the fhaft of the pit, has been
thrown
ing carried feveral bufliels of aflies into a deep cellar, his Ton
going down afterwards with more, the candle went out on
the middle of theftairs 5 but having lighted it again, he went
to the bottom, where he cried out for help, and they heard
no more of him. His brother, an able youth, ran down
after him, cried out he was dead, and was heard no more.
He was followed by his wife, and (he by a maid, and ftill it
was the fame. This ftruck the whole neighbourhood with
a panic, and no body cared to venture any farther, till a re-
folute fellow, perfuaded the four people were not dead, would
go down to their afliftance, but he alfo cried out, and did not
return. Upon this another man got a hook, and, without
going to the bottom, drew up the maid 5 who having taken
the air, fetched a figh, and died. Next day a perfon un-
dertook to get up all the bodies with a hook, being let down
by a rope on a wooden horfe, to pull up whenever he gave
notice. He foon called, but the rope breaking, he fell into
the cellar, and was drawn out dead prefently after. At
length the phyfjcians being confulted, gave their opinion,
that the afhes or brands had not been well extinguifhed, and
the cellar (like the reft in Chartres) abounding with falt-
petre, the unufual heat had raifed a malignant vapour, which
had done the mifchief j and that the remedy was, to throw in
a good quantity of water. This being done, a >dog and a
lighted candle were let down, without injury to either j a
fufficient proof that the danger was over.
What Dr. Connor relates is ftill more wonderful, viz.
That as fome people were digging in a cellar at Paris for
fuppofed hidden treafure, the maid went down to call her
mafter, and found them all ftark dead, but in their working
poftures, and feemingly intent on their feveral offices, one
digging, another (hovelling away the earth, &c. The wife
of one of them was fat down on the fide of a hopper, leaning
her head on her arm, as if weary and thoughtful j and a boy,
with his breeches down, was evacuating on the edge of the
pit. All of them, in fhort, appeared inlheir natural poftures
and a6lions, with open eyes, but ftiff as ftatues, and cold
as clay.
We ftiall conclude this note with an account of a remark*,
able damp in a well in the lile of Wight, as given us by Mr.
Ccok,
NATURE AND ART. 25
thrown off" its frame by the violsnce of the blaft.
To prevent thefe mifchiefs the miners ufe no can-
dles m their works but thofe of a fingle wick,
fixty or feventy to the pound, which give as
great alight there, as thofe of tenor twelve to the
pound do in other places ; and they always put
them behind them, never prefenting them to the
breaft of the work. — The fame learned naturalift
obferved, that fome coal-veins were much more
tinged with fulphur than others ; and fpeaks of
Cook in the Phllorophical Tranfaflions. In 1733 a farmer
employed fome workmen to fink a well, who about eighteen
feet from tlie Surface, dug through a ftratum of a mineral mix-
ture without any inconveniency ; nor were they at all in-
commoded in carrying on the work, till about twelve days
afterwards, when towards the evening they were annoyed
with a faint fufFocating heat, which as they were drawn up,
was mofl remarkably perceived againft the mineral ftratum
above-mentioned. The next morning a young man letting
himfelf down by a rope, as foon as he came over-againft the
fame ftratum, became incapable of fuftaining his own weight,
fell to the bottom, and died immediately. Another young
man, not fufpe6ting the caufe, having fcated himfelf acrofs a
ftick fixed to the rope for that purpol'e, was let down to his
friend's afliftance ; but when he came to the fame depth, he
was obferved to give.the rope a great ftiock, felldown as the
other had done, and foon expired. A third perfon, being tied
faft in a large bafket, was let down more warily ; and when
he came to the fame ftratum, finding himfelf almoft fufFocated,
he cried out, and was drawn up again immediately j but re-
mained in the air near half an hour, pale, panting, and fpeech-
lefs. In three hours time the dead bodies were drawn up,
but brought up fuch a difagreeable ftench along with them,
as madefeveral of the workmen vomit. The next day a cat was
let down, and at the fame place was feized with convulfions ;
but being drawn up again, quickly recovered. The well was
left open about eight months, in hopes the damp would lea .'<^
it ; but i^ became worfe, rifing even to the top, where it ap-
peared like a thin white fog wken the air was moift, and in
a dry air could be perceived like a warm breath, iways dif-
fufmg a fulphureous ftench, afFe^ling people with giddinels^
/hortnefs of breath, and a propenfuy to vomit : fo that at hft:
the well was filled up, being not onlv ufclefs but off«n(jve.
Vot. I. C ' ouv"
26 The WONDERS of
one that was wrought in thefe mines, which had
received fuch a refplendency from its fulphureous
tin£lure, that in all its points it feemed as if it was
covered with leaf gold. He adds, that in one of
thefe works two or three hundred weight of very
good lead-ore was found growing to a vein of
coal, which was reckoned a great rarity, none hav-
ing ever been met with in a coal-pit before, the
fulphureou$ fpirit being there generally too ftrong
for the generation of that metal.
From thefe mines, and thofe of Kingfwood
in Gloucefterfhire, the city of Briftol is fupplied
with coals; but no part of England affords fuch
prodigious quantities of this ferviceable Mineral
as the Pits about Newcaftle upon Tine. It is
almoft impoffible to exprefs the vaft trade which
this town carries on in this fmgle article ; for
their coals are not only fent by fea to many
other parts of England and Scotland, but alfo to
Holland, and in time of peace to France and
Flanders ; and being thus brought to us by (hip-
ing they are commonly called Sea-Coal, though
Pit- Coal is the more proper name. But to give
the reader a juft idea of the wonderful confump-
tion of Newcaftle coal, we need only inform
him, that from this inexhauftible fource the city
of London is fupplied, which alone is reckoned to
confume annually at leaft 600,000 chaldrons, eacU
chaldron containing fix and thirty bu{he}s. Nor
Ihould v/e forget the coal-pits near Whitehaven
in Cumberland, which is the moft eminent port
in England for its coal-trade, Newcaftle excepted.
From hence the city of publin, and all the Towns
of Ireland on the coaft, as well as fome parts of
Scotland and the Ifte of Man, are chiefly fup-
plied : fo that in time of war, or upon account of
f ontrary wi^ds, it is no uncommon thing to have
NATURE A KB ART. 27
two hundred (hips at once fet fail from this place
for Dublin laden with coals.
Under this article we ought not to omit a
remarkable fort of coal, called Cannel or Candle-
Coal, which is found in fome of the northern
counties, particularly in Lancafliire, It is glolTy
and light ; apt to cleave into thin flakes ; and^
when kindled, yields a continual blaze till it
is confumed to afties. Its hardnefs makes it ca-
pable of being poliflied, and then it looks like mar-
ble; fo that ftandifhes, cups, candlefticks, &c»
are frequently made of it : nor will it foil the nneft
handkerchief, though it is as black as jet.
There is another uncommon kind of roal
dug up in Staffordfhire, called Peacock-Coal, be-
eaufe, when turned to the light, it fiiews all the
colours in the peacock's train ; but it is too foft
to be polilhed.
There remains yet a moft ufeful metal to be
mentioned, of which our ifland afFords no fmall
quantities, I mean Iron : this indeed, with refpedt
to real ufefulnefs is the moft valuable of all the me-
tals, and is therefore the moft common. It confifts
of an earth, fait, and fulphur, but all impure, ill-
mixed, and ill-digefted ; which renders it extremely
liable to ruft. It is the hardeft, drieft, and moft
difficult to melt of all metals. It may be foftened
by heating it often in the fire, hammering it, and let -
ting it cool of itfelf ; and it is hardened by being
extinguiftied in water. — Of all the iron works in
England, thofe in the foreft of Dean in Gloucefter-
ihire are in moft repute. The ore is found there
in great plenty, differing much in colour, weight,
and goodnefs. The beft, called Brufti Ore, is
blueilh, very ponderous, and full of little fpecks
that fliine like filver. This afFords the greateft
quantity of iron, but if melted alone the metal is
C 2 very
28 The WONDERS of
very brittle, and therefore not fo fit for common
uTe. To remedy this, they mix with it a due
quantity of Cinder, (which is the refufe of the
ore after the metal has been extraded) and this
gives it fuch an admirable temper of toughnefs,
as makes it equal to any that is brought from
foreign countries. — After they have dug up the
ore, their firft bufmefs is to calcine it, which is
cone in kilns, much like our ordinary lime-kilns.
Thefe they fill to the top with coal and ore, a
layer of each alternately ; then fetting fire to the
bottom, they let it burn till the coal is wafted,
and renew the kilns with frefli ore and coal in the
fame manner as before. This does not melt the
metal, but confumes the more drofly part of the
ore, and makes it rnalleable ; ferving inftead of
the beating and wafhii^ig ufed with other ores.
After this operation it is carried to the furnaces,
which are built of brick or ftone, about thirty
feet high, and fomewhat refembling the fhape of
an egg, being about ten feet wide in the middle,
but much narrower at the top and bottom. Ber
hind the furnace are fixed two huge pair of bel-
lows, the nofes of which meet at a little hole
near the bottom : thefe are worked by a large
wheel turned about by water, and are fo contrived
as to play alternately, the one giving the blaft
whilft the other is rifing. The furnace is filled with
©re and cinder, intermixed with charcoal, which
being fet on fire, the materials run together into
a hard cake or lump ; and the metal, as it melts,
trickles down into receivers at the bottom of th^
furnace, where there is a paflage open for the
ini^n to take out the fcum and drofs, and let out
the metal as they fee occafion. Before the mouth
of the furnace lies a great bed of fand, whereiij
they make furrows of what ihape they pleafe ;
ai>.d when the receivers ^re full the metal is let
into
NATURE AND ART. 29
mto them, which is made fo very fluid by the vio-
lence of the fire, that it not only runs to a confi-
rable diftance, but keeps boiling a good while
afterwards. In this manner they keep the fur-
naces conftantly employed for m.any months toge-
ther, never fufFering the fire to llacken night or
day, but ftill pouring in at the top a frefh fupply
of ore and fuel, v/hich in thefe works is always
charcoal. And from hence the fov/s and pigs of
iron, as they call them, are carried to the forges,
where they are wrought into bars.
W E muft not leave this part of natural hlftory
without taking notice of a foffil earth, commonlv
called Fuller's Earth, which feems almoft peculiar
to England, and is of great ufe in the woollen
manufa£lure*. Plenty of it is dug up near Brick-
Hill in StaiFordfhire ; alfo near Ryegate in Surrv^
near Maidfl:one in Kent, near Petworth in Suffcx,
and near Wooburn in Bedfordfhire. It is a fatty
kind of earth, abounding in nitre; and is fo ne-
ceflary to the well dreffing of cloth, that though
foreigners may procure our wool in a clandeftine
manner, they can never come up to the perfedioa
of Englifh cloth without Fuller's-Earth, the expor-
tation of which is therefore made equally criminal
with that of wool. — Abroad they make great ufc
of urine inftead of Fuller's-Earth.
The fubterraneous productions already men-
tioned (to which we may add marble, free-ftone,
&c.) are fome of the moft ufeful that our ifland
affords ; nor can we be more particular on this
head, without exceeding our intended limits.
But there is a great variety of fofTils to be found
in the bowels of the earth, which though of no
* It is alfo reckoned a great improver of land. When
diflblved in vinegar it difperfes pimples, checks inflamma-
tions, and cures burns,
C 3 apparent
30 The WONDERS of
apparent fervice to mankind, excite our admira-
tion, and afford matter for curious fpeculations
and enquiries. By thefe we do not mean the na-
tive foifils, which have their feveral ufes, and will
be occafionally taken notice of in the courfc of
this work; but thofe of the adventitious or fo-
reign kind, which have not been generated in
the earth, but repofited there by earthquakes,
deluges, or fome other extroardinary cataftrophe.
Thcie are trees ^, plants, (hells, bones, teeth, &c.
both of fea and land animals, which are found in
?reat abundance in feveral parts of the earth.
Sometimes we find whole beds of fliellsf, either
of the fame or of different kinds ; fometimes fifhes
petrified ^ and the branches and leaves of trees,
• fea-
* Some time ago there were found in England, at the depth
of above a hundred feet, feveral huge oaks, remaining entire
with their branches. They had conti*a6leJ a bLicknefs equal
to that of jet, and a hardnefs far fiirpafling that of any living
oak. How thefe trees fliioiild come there, unlefs by a fubver-
fion of the whole globe at the time of the flood, it is difficult
to conceive. — -Mr. Boyle mentions a vaft oak dug out of a fait
mine in Tranfylvania, fo hard, that it could not eafdy be
wrought on by iron tools j which yet, by being expofed to
the air, became fo rotten in four days, as to crumble between
the fingers : and Mr. Derham obferves the fame of the trees
turned out of the earth by the breaches at Weft-Thurrock
and Dagenham.— M. de la Pryme is of opinion, that the trees
which are found under ground in Hatfield Chace in York-
fhire, and in the Morafies and fens in feveral other counties,
were cut dov/nby the Romans, in order to dillodge the Bri-
tons who ufed to fhelter themielves in the thick marfhy
woods, and faily out as opportunity offered to intercept their
provifions and difturh their garrifons.
.f We have a remarkable inftance of this kind near Read-
ingin Berklhire, where a continued ftratum or layer of oyfter-
ihells is found at a great depth from the furface of the earth.
They lie in a bed of greenifh fand, upon a hard rocky chalk,
and are often dug outentire by the men who work in the chalk
pit, and thofe who vifit the place out of curiofity. The fliells
uit brittle^ and cafily feparated frtmi each other j but nothing
NATURE AND ART/ 36
fea-mofles, &c. either petrified or imprelTed on
Hones in their perfeft fhape and proportion.
Thefe extraneous foffils have very much employed
the thoughts of our latter naturalifts, who find it
no eafy matter to account for the furprlzing Pha:-
noniina of petrified fea-fifhes in places far dlftant
from the fea, and even on the tops of mountains ;
fhells in the midft of quarries of ftone ; elephants
teeth, and bones of animals peculiar to the fouth-
ern climates, and plants only growing in the ealt,
found in our northern and vv^eftern parts. The
common opinion is, that the foffils of this kind
were buried in the earth at the time of the univer-
fal deluge; but fome think they are only the
effect of a Lufus Naturae, the mimickry or wanton
produdions of nature.
Dr. Woodward, in his Natural Hiflory of
the Earth, feems to have fct this matter in a pretty
clear light, though his fyflem is liable to fome
obje£lions. He imagines, that the whole mafs of
earth, with every thing belonging thereto, was
lb broken and difTolved at the time of the flood,
that a new earth was formed in the bofom of the
water, corrfifling of different ftrata or beds of mat-
ter, ranged over each other, nearly according to
the order of their fpecific gravities*. By this
C 4 means
IS found within them, except now and then fome of the green
land abovementioned. What makes this the more wonderful
is the diftance of the place from the fea, which is not lefs than
foity or fifty miles; fo that they are generally fuppofed to
have been left there by the univerfal deluge.
* Dr. Leigh, fpeaking of the coal-pits in Lancafhire, de-
nies the ftrata to lie according to the laws of gravitation.
This induced Mr. Derham to make a nice enquiry into the
matter ; and accordingly he caufed divers places to be bored^
laying the feveral ftrata by themfelves, and afterwards weigh-
ed them with great accuracy to determine their fpecific gravi-
ties. The refuit was, that ia his yai'd the ftrata were fpeci-
£^caliy
32 The WO NDERS of
means plants, animals, (efpecially fifties) (hells,
bones, &c. not yet diffolved among the reft, be-
came blended with the mineral and foffil matters,
which either preferved them entire, or affumed and
retained their figures and impreffions. He farther
llippofes, that thefe ftrata were originally parallel,
even, and regular, and rendered the furface of the
earth perfectly fpherical ; but that towards the
end of the deluge, they were broken on all fides of
the gJobe, and their fituation varied, being ele-
vated in feme places and deprefled in others ;
whence meuntains, valleys, iflands, S^c. and thofe
vaft cavities into which the waters retired and
formed the ocean. In a word, the whole terra-
queous globe (according to the Do6lor) was put,
by this difruption of the ftrata, and the depreffion
of fome and elevation of other parts, into the con-
dition wherein it now appears.
But though moft of the foffils refembling
fhells, plants, &c. may reafcnably be fuppofed to
owe their origin to the univerfal deluge, there are
fome which are probably native ftones or rock-
plants, and not parts of animals, or plants petri-^
fied, as many naturalifts have imagined. The
Trochitse; or Trochites, for inftance, vulgarly
called St. Cuthbert's Beads, feem to be of this
kind. They are commonly of a dark colour,
glolTy and ihining when broken, and are eafily
diflblved in vinegar. Their figure is generally
fically heavier the lower they went 3 but making the fame
experiment in his fields, he could not perceive any difference
in the fpecific gravities of the feveral ilrata. Having acquaint-
ed the Royal Society with this, their operator Mr. Hawkf-
bee was ordered to try the flrata of a coal-pit, v^hich he did
to the depth of thirty feet 5 and found (as appears from the ac-
• count he gives us in the Philofophical Tranfa6lions) that
thev lay in no manner of order as to their gravities, but con-
fufedly, as if the mixture was purely cafual.
cylin-
\ ...
NATURE AND ART. 33
cylindrical, fometimes a little tapering, and the j
flat ends are covered with fine radii drawn from j
a hole in the middle to the circumference. Seve- ]
ral of thefe are fometimes joined together, in fuch j
a manner, that the rays of one enter into the fur- i
rows of another. They are found in fome parts !
of Yorkftiire, and alfo in Mendip-Hills, fometimes
fcattered here and there, and fometimes in large |
beds, and of various fizes. Mr. Beaumont (in
the Philofophical Tranfadions) aflures us, that all i
the clijfFs in fome mines are made up of thefe \
ftone-plants ; and that they are found growing in \
the gritty clay, fome of them yet crude and foft, ,
others cf the confidence of lime-ftone, others ftill
harder, with the evident beginnings of circles j
and futures, and others become perfect fpar, which \
is their ftate of muturity. Many of thefe, as to |
the curiofity of their make, may vie with any of the «
vegetable kingdom, having roots, ftem, branches, ;
joints, an inward pith, and fometimes cells, to fup- ]
ply the place of veins and fibres.
The Aftroites, or Star-Stone, which is found !
-about Shugbury in V/arwickfhire, near Belvoir- |
Caftle in Lincolnftiire, and in feveral parts of the !
north of England, is a curiofity of the like na- ;
ture. Their form is very regular, confiding cf \
feveral thin pentagonal joints fet one over ano- i
ther, fo as to make a kind of five-angled column.
To thisfpecies of bodies may alfo be referred t\\r j
ftone called Cornu Ammonis, which, according to
Dr. Beaumont, is frequent in the clay v/herein the
Trochit'de are produced, and at its firft appearance
looks like a young cock's fpur, but grows to the* j
length of feven or eight inches, though fev/ of ^
that bignefs are to be found entire. Dr. Wood- \
ward however is of a different opinion, aflerting it ;
to be a foeil of the Nautilus kind, formed in the .1
C 5 ica, J
34 The WONDERS or
fea, and carried thence by the waters of the deluge,
it is rough, knotty, and twifted like a ram's-horn,
whence its name, Jupiter Ammon being wor-
ftipped by the ancient people of Libya under the
form of a ram. The Coinu Ammonis, and the
Aftroites, being immerged in vinegar or the juice
of lemons, will move about as if they were alive j
the reafon of v/hlch is, that the acid, by infmuat-
ing itfelf into their pores, makes way for the in-
troduction of a warmer air than what was lodged
therein before ; which being immediately dilated,
und ftruggling to difengage itfelf, occafions a tre-
mulous motion in thofe bodies.
Under this article, as we are fpeaking of
ftcncs, it feems proper to mention acuriofity in
Ireland, about eight miles from Colerain, which has
obtained the name of the Giant's Caufeway, though
it is evidently the w^orkof nature. It confifts of
,|jiany thoufand pillars, moft of them ftanding per-
pendicular to the plane of the horizon, and very
clofe to each other. Moft of them have five fides,
fome fix, and others feven, and yet their contex-
ture is fo adapted, that there is no vacuity be-
tv/een them. They are from fifteen to twenty-
four inches in diameter, and are compofed of fe-
veral joints or pieces of different lengths, the
convex end of one being exactly fitted to the con-
cavity of another. The fides of the pillars, which
touch each other, are of a whitifli free-ftone colour,
but upon breaking off fome pieces, the infide ap-
pears like daik marble, pretty muft refembling
that v/hich the ancients called Bafaltes. This
Caufeway runs from the bottom* of a precipice
into the northern ocean, how far is not known ;
but at low water it is vifible at leaft fix hundred
feet in length, the breadth in the wideft place be-
irig about two hundred and forty feet, and in the
narrovveft
NATURE ANB ART, 35
narroweft a hundred and twenty. In fome parts
it is fifteen or twenty feet, in others fix and thirt)^^
above the level of the Strand.
VEGETABLES,
WE come now to confider fome of the vege-
table productions of our illand, which in
general being fo well known, we need only de-
fcribe a few of the moft remarkable. W e fliall
begin with faftron, which is chiefly cultivated
about Walden in EfTex, from whence the town is
generally called Saffron- Walden. It rifes from a
bulbous root, and blofibms in September and Oc-
tober* Its leaves are long, narrow, thick, and foft
to the touch ; and its flowers, which fometimes ap«
pear before the leaves, and fometimes after them,
are of a pale purple ftreaked with w^hitifh lines ; but
towards the bottom of the petal the purple is
deeper. From the middle of the flow^er arife three
flame-coloured ftamina or chives, crowned v/ith
their apices ; and under thefe is the ovary or pif-
til of the plant, wherein the feeds are formed.
From the upper part of the ovary arifes the ftyle,
a flender tube inclofed within the fiflular part of
the flower where it is of a whitifli colour, but
changes into yellow before it divides into three
parts oppofite to the tops of the ftamina. Thefe
three ftylets (or dartSy as fome call them) are
the true fafiron of the (hops, for the fake cf
which alone the plant is cultivated. When the
flower is gathered, they feparate the ftylets, and dry
them in fieves by a gentle fire, or on a little kiln
made for that purpofe. It is remarkable, that
though every flower feems to yield fo little, aa
acre of ground will produce about a hundred
pounds of wet fafiron, which will weigh twenty
C 6 pounds
36 The WONDERS of
pouiids when dried and fit for ufe. They ufually
plant it three years in one piece of ground, and
then remove it to another. The Englifti fafFron
is reckoned the beft in Europe
Wo AD, which is much ufed in dying blue
colours t, is produced from a plant called Glaftum,
whofe leaves refemble thofe of ribwort-plantain.
It is much cultivated in Bedfordftiire, where they
order it in the following manner. The feed is
fown annually in the fpring, and the leaves are
cropped for the firft time about the middle of May,
2nd perhaps three or four times afterwards, efpe-
trially in a wet fummer, though the bell is pro-
duced in a dry feafon. The firft crop excels aU
the reft in goodnefs, every one after it being gra-
dually worfe. When gathered, the crop is ground
fmall in a mill, and having laid eight or ten days
in heaps, it is made into balls, which are dried
on hurdles, and then ground to powder. This
done, it is fpread on a floor and watered, which
is called Couching ; and then by turning it every
day it is filvered, that is, rendered perfectly dry
and mouldy, when it is put up in bags for the
dyer's ufe.
The Hop, a plant of the reptile kind, whofe
flower is a principal ingredient in malt-liquors Xy
is
* Good fafFron is known by its agreeable fmell, being
velveted over with a fine red, and free from yellow threads ►
It is tiled both in food and medicine, to chear, fortify, and
refolve. It is an excellent cordial, and a fure promoter of a
diaphorefis.
f The ancient Britons ufed to dye their bodies with a tinc-
ture of this plant, to make them appear formidable to their
enemies, or perhaps to defend them againlt the inclemency of
the weather.
J The ufe made of hops in the liquor drank in cold coud-
trie;;, and the manner of raifing them ov poles, has given the
I in-^t the appellation of the North trn /"ine. By this ingre-
dient.
NATURE AND ART, 37
IS cultivated in feveral parts of England, efpecially
in Kent and Surry. This plant creeps upon the
ground, unlefs it finds pales or flirubs to hang to,
or is fupported by poles ftuck in the ground for
that purpofe, which is the method ufed in the hop-
gardens. Its ftem is long, flexible, rough, and
hairy ; its leaf indented like that of the vine, and
covered with a kind of prickly down 5 and its
flowers, which grow in a fort of bunch or clufter,
are of a greenifh yellow, refembling thofe of the
female elm, both as to form and fize. The flower
contains a blackifh bitter grain, which is the feed
of the hop ; but it is ufually propagated by fets,
eight or ten inches long, having each three or
four joints. Thefe are fet in holes about a foot
fqqare, one at each corner, and a fifth in the
middle ; and thefe little plantations, which are
formed into a kind of hillocks, are made at the
diftance of fix or eight feet from one another.
When the hops are two or three feet above ground,
they are conduced and tied to the poles, but not
fo clofe as to hinder their climbing ; and about
Midfummer, when they begin to branch, fuch as
have not reached the tops of the poles fhould have
their heads nipped oflF, that they may branch the
better. They blow towards the end of July, and
the forward ones are ripe by the clofe of Augufl-,
dient, which affords a fubtile grateful bitter, our beer is pre-
ferved to a great age, being prevented thereby from runnii>g
into fuch cohefions as would make it ropy, vapid, and four.
It alfo divides and fubtilizes the vifcid parts of the malt, and
fo renders them more eafy of digeilion and fecretion in the
body. — The heads and tendrils of the plant purify the blood
in the fcurvy, and moft cutaneous difeafes ; deco6lions and
fyrups made of the flowers are good againft peltilential fe-
vers ; juleps and apozems are alfo prepared with them for hy-
pochondriacal and hyfterical affo^ons, and to promote the
njcafes.
Their
3? The WONDERS of
Their ripenefs is difcovered by their fragrant fcent,
their changing colour, being eafily pulled, and *
by the brownilh colour of the feed. If they are
over-ripe, they will be apt to jQied their feed,,
wherein their chief ftrength confifts ; nor will
they look fo green, but fomevvhat brown, which
much IciTens their value. When gathered, they
are dried on a kiln, and about a month after-
v/ards are packed up in bags, wherein they will
keep feveral years.
But perhaps noqe of our vegetable produ&ions
(except thofe which furnifti us with bread, the
moft neceflary part of our food) are of greater and
more universal ufe than Flax and Hemp, which
are plants of much the fame nature, though the
firft is abundantly finer, and employed in more
beautiful manufa£l:ures. — Flax is a plant with a
flender hollow ftem, ufually about two feet high,
whofe bark confifts of fibres or threads, which
being dreffed and worked in a proper manner, af-
fords us that valuable commodity, Linen-Cloth^
which we now make to very great perfe£lion ;
and the Irifti in particular have, of late years, im-
proved that manufafture to fuch a degree, that
they export great quantities of it to England, and
to the Britifti colonies in America. Flax thrives
beft in a foil that has long lain fallow, and the
feed muft be fown thick in a warm feafon, about
the end of March, or the beginning of April
Flax pulled up in the bloom is whiter and ftronger
than that which ftands till the feed is ripe. Inftead
of fteeping it in a ftanding water, (as they do'
* The feed of Flax, called Linfced, enters into the com-
portion of divers medicines, and yields an oil by expreffion
which has moft of the properties of nut-oil, and, in defe6\
of that, is frequently ufejii in painting. That drawn cold is
rtWioncd gx)od in feveral diftuies,^
hemp}
NATURE AND ART. 39
hemp) it is ufually expofed alternately to the
damps of the night and the heat of the fun, from
whence it receives a finer colour ; after which it
is well dried, and undergoes much the fame pre-
parations as hemp to fit it for fpinning. — Hemp
grows much taller than flax, rifing into a flender
Ibrt of flirub, with a hollow ftem, and the leaves
a little jagged. Its feed * (which is well known)
grows on the top of the ftem, but is only produced
by hemp of the male kind, commonly called Karl^
as the female is called Fimble. But the mod va-
luable part is its fibrous bark, which, after under-
going various operations, yields us thread, cloth,
cordage, &c. The feed is ufually fown in May,
and the plant is fit to gather in Auguft, its ripe-
iicis being indicated by the ftalks turning white,
and the leaves yellow. The way of gathering it
is to pull it up by the roots, after which it is tied
up in bundles, and laid to fteep in a pool, or other
ftagnant water, to rot the bark ; which done, it
is taken out again, and well dried. It is then
cruflied v/ith an inftrument called a Brake, to
break the dry bun or hex, which is the inward
fubftance of the ftem; and when it is thus reduced
to fuch a ftate, as to hang together in fmall fliivers,
thefe are feparated from the bark by beating it
with a fwingle, a piece of wood edged for that
purpofe. The next operation is to beat the hemp
on a block with beetles, till it be fufficiently foft
and pliable; after which it is heckled, that is,
drawn through feveral toothed inftruments of dif-
ferent finenefs, whereby the fliorter tov/ is fepa-
rated, and the reft is fit for fpinning, weaving, kc,
—Upon the whole, it is furprizing to confider
* A deco6\ion of hemp-feed in milk is recommended a-
gainlt the jaundice. The leaves are Ibid to be goQd againfl
burns, and the juice thereof againft deafnefs.
what
40 r II E WONDERS of
what iiumberlefs advantages mankind enjoy from
the two little plants wc have been fpeaking of,
and even from their bark alone. This affords us
a part of attire which accommodates us day and
night, and is not only neat and convenient, but
contributes much to the health of our bodies.
From hence we have thofe fpreading fails, by the
help of which our fhips are wafted to theremoteft
parts of the globe ; and from the fame bark the
ropes by which they are managed, and the ftrong
cables for their anchors, fo neceflary to their fe-
curity. In a word, the materials formed from the
rind of thefe plants are of conftant and univerfal
ufe in domeftic affairs, hufbandry, commerce, and
moft arts and manufailories.
Some perhaps might think us guilty of an un-
pardonable omiffion, if we fliould forget to men-
tion the famous Hawthorn at Glaftonbury, in
Somerfetfhire, faid to put forth blolfoms every
Chriftmas-day, and to have firft taken root there
from a ftaff w^hich Jofeph of Arimathea fixed in
the ground. That there was a thorn near Gla-
ftonbury, which in very mild winters ufed to blof-
fom about that time of year, is undoubtedly true ;
but the report of its blooming always exadtly on
Chriftmas-day is entirely groundlefs. The tree
was cut down long ago, (fome time in the laft
century) but feveral branches of it were planted
in the neighbourhood, which grew and blollbmed
like the old one, and are ftill to be feen in the
gardens of the curious
* Mr. Ray, an excellent botanlft, was of opinion, that
tills miraculous thorn (as many have looked upon it to be)
dijfered only accidentally from the common Hawthorn.
ANIMAL S.
NATURE AND ART. 4J
ANIMALS.
FROM Vegetables we now proceed to Ani-
mals ; but as an account of thofe which are
well known amongft us (how furprizing foever
they might appear to ftrangers) would be infipid
and tirefome to an Englifti reader, we fhall not
fpend much time on this head, referving room for
a more particular defcription of fuch creatures as
are peculiar to foreign countries, and therefore
more apt to excite our admiration. — In the firft
place, we think proper to mention a curiofity,
which perhaps has not been taken notice of by
any author ; but the truth of it we have heard at-
tefted by a perfon of veracity, who was himfelf an
eye-witnefs of what he relates. There is ^hefays)
in the poffeffion of a certain family near High-
worth, in Wiltfliire, an uncommon breed of geefe,
which the owners take fo much care to preferve to
themfelves, that they would fcarce part with an
egg upon any confideration. Thefe geefe they
nurfe up and fatten in fuch a manner, that they
grow to a very extraordinary, and almoft incre-
dible fize, infomuch that fome of them will weigh
twenty, five and twenty, and even thirty pounds.
They are ufually befpoke by gentlemen who have
the curiofity to grace their tables, and entertain
their friends v/ith fuch a noble difli; and confider-
ing the rarity of the fowl, as well as the expence
of feeding them, the price of one {hilling a pound,
which is the loweft they are fold at, does not feem
extravagant.
Having mentioned this uncommon fort of
tame geefe, it naturally leads us to defcribe a re-
markable fpecies of wild ones called Solan Geefe,
whichj at a certain feafon of the year, frequent
fome
42 The WONDERS of
fome of the iflands on the coafl: of Scotland, and
particularly a fmall one called the Bafs which
is little elfe but a rock, about a mile in circum-
ference. Incredible flocks of thefe fowl refort
hither in the fummer, a few always coming be-
forehand, as if it were to chufe their habitations,
which for that reafon are termed Scouts. The
people there take care not to difturb them till they
have built their nefts, after which they are not to
be frightened away by any noife whatever. They
lay but one egg, which they hatch by holding it
faft under one foot, and feldom leave it till that
is done. Confiderable profit is made by their
feathers, as well as by their flefli, which is reck-
oned a dainty; but as they are exceeding fat, and
tafte like herring, which is their cliief food, it is
hard to conceive how they can be fo delicious.
Whither thefe birds retire in winter is not known*
According to Mr. Martin, feveral of the
weftern ifles of Scotland are alfo frequented by
vaft numbers of folan geefe, particularly St. .
Kilda, Soa, and Borera. The rocks of St. Kilda
are in fummer-time totally covered with folan
geefe and other fowl, and appear at a diftance
like fo many mountains covered with fnow. The
nefts of the folan geefe, not to mention thofe of
other fowl, are fo clofe, that when one v/alks
between them, the hatching fowls on either fide
can always take hold of one's cloaths ; and thejr
^ This little ifland was formerly in the pofiefTion of theLavv-
der family, but vva's purchafed by king Charles II. and
annexed to the crown. It is inaccefTible on ail fides, except
by one narrow paflage, at the top of which there was a fort
mounted with cannon, which has been neglected ever fmce
the revolution. At that time it was fnrprized by fome of
kmg James's party, and held out for hnn the hii of any
place in the three kingdoms »
will
NATURE ANB ART. 43 ,
will often fit ftill till they are attacked, rather |
than expofe their eggs to the danger of being de- j
ftroyed by the fea-gulls 5 at the fame time an |
equal number fly about, and furnifli food for their -}
mates that are employed in hatching. Thefe
folan geefe obferve their prey from a confiderable j
height, and dart down upon it with incredible \
force. The common amufement of the herring i
fifhers fliews the amazing ftrength of this fowl'^:
they fix a herring upon a board, which has a fmall
weight under it, to fink it a little below the fur- j
face of the fea; when the folan geefe obferving 1
the fifti, darts down upon it perpendicularly, with 1
fuch force, that he runs his bill irrecoverably ^
through the board, and is taken up diredly by the i
fifhers. The folan geefe of thefe wefl:ern iflands j
almc.fi: equal a tame goofe in fize, and are not fo
large as thofe of the bafs, jufl: mentioned, which \
are bigger than the land goofe. The bill of this \
fowl is iong, (harp, and a little crooked at the
point j his colour, except a little black on the ,
extremities of the wings, is white when a year I
old, but before that age, a dark brov/n. The St. j
Kildians kill a folan goofe with great expedition,
by diflocating a certain joint of the neck, very .
near the head ; for the reft of the neck being m.ade .
for ftrength, it would, without this art, be diffi- \
cult to kill them. ]
The inhabitants of thefe little iflands annually
take about twenty thoufand of thefe fowls, which !
they keep in ftorehoufes built for that purpofe ; <
and the St. Kildians keep their eggs in the fame
places; and though, after ftaying there fome ]
months, they fmell moft offenfively, fuch is the
force of cuftom, that they eat them raw with a ]
keen appetite, and efteem them a good pecloral. i
The fat of the goofe is an excellent vulnerary, i
and ' \
44 The WONDERS of
and when boiled in water-gruel, they reckon it
afpecific againft coughs.
The neft of the folan geefe, fays the P.ev. Mr.
Macauley, is a large colleftion made up of very
different materials, he carries any thing that is fit
for his purpofe, whether at land, or floating on
the waters, to the place where he builds, grafs,
fea-weeds, fhavlngs of timber, pieces of cloth, and
frequently what he muft have got in fome foreign
land ; yet fuch is the difficulty in furnifliing a fuf-
ficient quantity of thefe different materials for
building, that they often encroach on their neigh-
bour's property ; and the manner in which they do
it, fhews that want has given them notions of pro-
perty unknown among fowls, where they have
plenty : thus if a folan goofe, fays our author,
finds his neighbour's neft at any time without the
fowl, he takes advantage of his abfence, fteals as
much of the materials as he can conveniently car-
ry, and, fenfible of the injuftice he has done, flies
directly towards the ocean ; v/hen, if the lawful
owner does not difcover the injury he has fuffered
before the thief is out of fight, he efcapes with
impunity, and foon returns with bis burden^ as if
he had made a foreign purchafe.
It has been faid, that one of the bodyafts the
part of a centinel, while the other folan geefe,
with their heads under their wings, continue
afleep, and gives the alarm if an enemy fliould ap-
proach, and that a general maflfacre might be
eafily made, if this centinel was furprifed and
difpatched. But the prefent St. Kildians deny,
that the fafety of the whole flock depends fo en-
tirely on the vigilance of the watch. The folan
geefe repair to St. Kilda in the month of March,
and continue there till after the beginning of
November. Before the middle of that month,
thcy^
NATURE AND ART. 45
they, and all the other fea-fowl, fond of this coaft,
retire much about the fame time, into fome other
favourite regions 3 fo that not a fingle fowl, be-
longing to this element, is to be feen about St.
Kilda, from the beginning of winter, to the mid-
dle of February.
In thefe iflands is another fea-fowl, highly ef-
teemed, called the Tulmer. This bird is nearly
of the fame fize as a barn-door fowl 3 but his legs
and wings are much larger. Over the back, wings,
and tail, his feathers are of a light grey ; but
round the breaft and neck more inclined to white*
His head is round, his neck thick and fliort, and
his bill, which is about an inch and an half in
length, bends inwards, and is pointed like that
of an eagle. He is a moft ravenous fowl, and
feeds only on forrel and the fat of fifli ; pieces of
whale and fea blubber are frequently found in his
neft. 1 he people of St. Kilda beftowthe higheft
encomiums on this bird. Mr.Macauley fays, that
he heard one of the moft fenfible men of St. Kilda
thus extol it. Can the world exhibit a more va-
luable commodity ? The Tulmer furnifhes oil for
the lamp, down for the bed, the moft falubrious
food, and the moft efficacious ointments for healing
wounds, beftdes a thoufand other virtues of which
he is poffelTed, which 1 have not time to enume-
rate ; but to fay all in one word, deprive us of the
Tulmer, and St. Kilda is no more.
The Tulmer lays no more than one egg in a
feafon, it being peculiarly fterile, among all the
dilFerent tribes of birds that haunt thefe iflands ;
jind therefore, to plunder its neft is reckoned a
high crime among the St. Kildians. It is re-
markable, that the younj Tulmer, when of the
proper fize, is no fooner attacked in his neft, than
Jie endeavours to difconcert the enemy, by fpout-
46 The WONDERS of
ingout a quantity of oil, at his wide noftrils, which
he fquirts direftly into the face and eyes of the
fowler ; and this inftinftive ftratagem, frequently
gives him an opportunity to make his efcape.
But thofe who are verfed in this diverfion,
take all poflible precautions to furprife him, and
the more fo, as they efteem the oil incomparably
precious, and for that reafon exert all their fkill
and dexterity to fave it. Yet in fpite of their ut-
moft care, the fowlers are befmeared with it, and
any part of their cloaths touched by an oil fo
fpirituous, will burn like a candle. Every Tul-
mer yields near an Englilh pint of this liquid fub-
fiance, which drops out of the noftrils of the fowl
while warm, and a confiderable quantity of it is
preferved in the ifle. Of the fov/ls themfelves,
every family has a great number falted in calks
for winter provifions.
Another extraordinary fpecies of birds which
refort tothefe weftern iflands, is the Lavie, which
in fize refembles a duck, though it is rather Ion*
ger, and hardly fo thick : he is black above, the
wdiole breaft and belly white, with a circle of the
fame colour round the neck ^ the bill is black and
fharp at the point, and the egg, which is larger
than that of a duck, is moft beautifully variegat-
ed with a diverfity of colours, as black, white,
red, yellow, blue, and green ; and fcarce any two
of them nearly refemble each other. This fowl
builds no kind of neft, but lays her egg on the
fhelf of a bare rock, where (he plants it in fo very
nice a manner, that if once touched, it will be
found impoffible to fix it in the fame place again ;
and fo llender is the hold their eggs have of the
rock, that if the fowls are furprifed, fo as to ftart
from them in a hurry, they tumble down into the
fea, in thick (howers.
The
NATURE AND ART. 47
The Lavies are no fooner difcovered on the
coaft, than thofe who had formerly diftinguifhed
themfelves by fuch feats, defcend with the help
of their ropes, into the well known fhelves of the
rocks, each having a broad piece of linen, or any
thing remarkably white, fixed on his breaft.
This is done in the night-time, when the bird
miftaking an obje£l fo confpicuous, for a part of
the rock, endeavours to cling to it, upon which he
is inftantly caught, and difpatched. In thisfituatioii
the fowler continues till about the dawn, and then
makes the wonted fignal, by pulling the rope oa
which his life is fufpended : his companion, who
ftands above, takes care in the firft place to fecure
the prey, which fometimes confifts of no lefs than
four hundred Lavies, and when that is done hauls
up the adventurer, who is not, without reafon,
highly extolled for his prowefs, and moft graci-
oufly received by all his friends.
Before we leave thefe fowls, it will beproperto
give a farther account of the manner of catching
fowl in general, which is there an affair of the ut-
moft importance. The men of St, Kilda, are
upon thefe occafions divided into fowling parties,
each of which generally confifts of four perfons,
diftinguifhed by their fkill and agility. Each
party has at leaft one rope about thirty fathoms in
length, made of raw cow-hide, falted and cut cir-
cularly into three thongs, all of equal length,
clofely twifted together ; by this means they are
able to fuftain a great weight, and are fo durable as
tolaft about two generations j for to prevent its be-
ing injured bythefharp edges of the rocks, the cord
is covered with fheep fkins drefTed in much the
fam.c manner. By the help of thefe ropes, thejr
traverfe and examine rocks of a prodigious height ;
Jinked together in couples, each having an end of
48 The WONDERS of
the cord fattened round his waift. When oneof the
twodefcendsjhis colleague pi ants himfelf onaftrong
fhelf, and takes care to have fuch fure footing, that
if his companion makes a falfe ftep and falls, he
may be able to fave him. 1 hefe, fays the
^' Reverend Mr. Macauley, are ftupendous adven-
tures, equal to any thing in the feats of chival-
ry. I was prefent at an operation of this kind :
my curiofity led me to fee fo uncommon a trial
of (kill ; but before it was half over, I was
«^ greatly fhocked, and moft heartily fick of it^
<^ Two noted heroes were drawn out from among
«^ all the ableft men of the community ; one of
them fixed himfelf on a craggy fhelf ; his com-
" panion went down fixty fathoms below him, and
after having darted himfelf away from the face
of a moft alarming precipice, hanging over the
ocean, he began to play his gambols : he fung
merrily, and laughed very heartily. The crew
were inexpreflibly happy, but for my part, I
was all the while in fuch diftrefs of mind, that
I could not for my life run over half the fcene
with my eyes. The fowler, after having per-
formed feveral antick tricks, and given us all
the entertainment his art could afford, returned
in triumph, and full of his own merit, with a
large ftring of fowls round his neck, and a num-
ber of eggs in his bofom.^'
Indeed, the greateft curiofity of St. Kilda, are
the inhabitants themfelves, thefe are very few in
number ; for though the ifiand might eafily fup-
port three hundred perfons, and when Mr. Mar-
tin vifited it about the end of the laft century, he
found one hundred and eighty perfons there, yet
they have been fo reduced by a contagious dif-
eafe, that in 1764 they were reduced to eighty-
eight. The fmell of their houfes, cloaths, and
breath.
NATURE AND ART. 49
breath, is very offenfive to a ftranger, who is
uneafy when a St. Kildian is near him ; and
for two or three days breathes a thick, loathfome
air ; but what fecms very unaccountable is, that
the frefli air, which the ftranger carries about him
with the fmell of his cloaths or breath, affcdl the
natives in a very fingular manner. The com-
pany of a ftranger is not only offenfive to them,
but on approaching him, they find a difficulty in
breathing*
The men are ftout hardy fellows, and though
generally fpeaking fhort of ftature, are extremely
thick and brawny, but rather clumfily made, than
nicely proportioned ; they are remarkably ftrong,
carry huge burdens, and will tug at the oar for
many hours. In their nodlural expeditions, they
undergo great hardftiips, and make very light of
fatigue and danger. The women are moftly
handfome, their complexion frefli and lively, and
their features fine and regular.
The cloathing of this people is quite coarfe and
made for warmth. The linen manufa6lured
among them is a meer trifle, and extremely coarfe.
The weavers underftand their bufinefs very ill.
Every man is the taylor and ftioemaker of his own
family; all the leather of the ifland, and thofe
neareft to it, is tanned with the tormentii root to
great perfection.
The St. Kildians fpeak a very corrupt dialect
of the Galic, adulterated with a little mixture of
the Norwegian Tongue ; and every man, woman,
and child, has an incorrigible lilping. They are
enthufiaftically fond of mufic, and delight much
in finging, their voices being very tuneful. The
fubjedls handled by the poets of St. Kilda, are
the beauty and accompliftiments of the fair fex,
the heroic actions of their friends, their dexterity
Vol. I. D in
50 The WONDERS OF
in climbing rocks, their fuperior (kill in fifhing,
their extroardinary vigour at the oar, and the
common topicks of perfonal advantages and in-
telledlual merit.
With refpe£l to the moral duties, they excel
all the civilized nations ; for in rep^ard to the
o
virtue of hofpitality, they are fo unfalhionable, as
to poflefs it in an eminent degree, and are remark-
ably generous and open-hearred. In their way they
are extremely complaifant, the women never ap-
proach a ftranger without low curtefies, and the
men always addrefs him in terms of the moll pro-
found refpe£t. They marry early, an honeft
deiire of preventing or removing the inconvenien-
cies of a fingle life, or pure difmterefted love, arc
the ruling paiuons in the advances they make to
matrimony. Should a young fellow be poffeffed
of a fpade, rake, creel, and fowling rope, he
marries without any fear or folicitude, will main-
tain himfelf, his v/ife and children, live content-
edly on a fmall plot of ground, and pay his rents
punftually to the proprietor of the ifland, withr
barley and feathers, Drunkennefs is not yet in-
troduced here, but they have a moft violent paf-
fion for tobacco, of which they buy an annual
Here of the fteward, who vifits them once a year.
For this univerfally bewitching article, and fome
other goods indifpenfibly neceflary, as fait, iron,
and timber, they barter away their cows, fheep,
grain and feathers. Thefe commodities conili-
tute all their riches : they have frequently heard
of gold without thirfting for it ; and, I believe,
fays our reverend author, they have not touched
coin of any kind before this age. Here high
portioned wives never rule their hufhands, here a
cruel ftep-mother never perfecutes her guiltlefs
ilep-fon for the fake of pelf : here the nuptial tie
is
NATURE AND ART. 51
is always held facred. The people have fcarce
any wants^ and confequently Icarce any defires
of a pecuniary kind. They are devout, attend
divine worfliip very regularly, and ftridly obferve
the Lord's day. Their morals are, and muft be
purer than thofe of great and opulent focieties ;
but fome of them are rather free from vices, than
poflefled of virtues : diffimulation and a trick of
lying are their predominant faults, in order to
lellen the heavy taxes they are obliged to pay ;
but .flavery is the never-failing fource of infince-
rity. If at a diftance from the feats of juftice,
they are abfolute ftrangers to the laws delay: if
ignorant and unphilofophical, they are libertines
neither in belief or praftice ; nor with learned
fpeculation ftrike at the foundation of virtue, nor
produce any breach of the public tranquility or
happinefs. The excefles of intemperance, the
mad quarrels and extravagant frolicks of drunken-
nefs, the fhameful ufe of places dedicated to the
fervice of lewdnefs and folly, of difgrace and
mifery, they never yet knew or felt ; and in fhort,
if happinefs is any where to be found it is among
them.
But to return from this long digreffion. In
fome of the Ifles of Orkney are found the Claik-
Geefe or Barnacles, which are covered with a
(hell, and ftick to trees by the bill, from whence
they are faid to derive their nouriftiment. Mr,
Martin fays he faw many of them, but never per-
ceived any upon the tree v/ith life in them ;
though the natives informed him they had obferv-
ed them move v/ith the heat of the fun. Sir Ro-
bert Moray fays, they hang at the tree by a neck
longer than the ftiell, of a kind of filmy fubflance,
fomewhat refembling the w^ind-pipe of a chicken.
In every Ihell he opened he found a perfedt fea-
D 2 fowl.
52 The WONDERS of
fowl, with a little bill like that of a goofe, feet like
thofe of water-fowl, and the feathers all plainly
-formed ; but he never faw any of them alive. Thus
ftrange ftories have been told, and too readily be-
lieved, concerning the barnacles ; as that they grow
upon trees by the fea-fide in flielK, out of which
the birds, when come to a proper degree of matu-
rity, make their paflage and drop into the water.
Others have fuppofed them to be produced from
rotten wood that has floated long in the fea, or
from certain fruits falling into the water, con-
trary to the new philofophy, which explodes
equivocal generation Others again have af-
cribed their origin to a kind of fea-fliells, adhering
to old planks and bottoms of fhips, v/hich from
thence are called Conchae Anatiferae ; but thefe
{hells in reality contain an animal of their own
fpecies, as well as the oyfter, mufcle, or other
ftiell-fifh. The truth feems to be, that the bar-
nacle is not a marine animal or fifh, (as fome
have imagined) but a real goofe, and oviparous,
like other fowls.
Just before the fouth promontory of the Ifle
of Man lies a little ifland called the Calf of Man,
reforted to at one time of the year by a vaft num-
ber of PufEns, a fort of fea-fowl, that breed there
in the holes of the rabbits, which abandon them
* 3y this is meant a method of producing animals, not by
the ufual way of coition between male and female, but by a
cerfain power or virtue in the fun, &c. Thus Maggots, flies,
fpiders, frogs, &c. have been fuppofed to be produced by
the lun's warming, agitating, and impregnating the duft,
earth, mud, and putrified parts of animals. This equivocal
method of generation, which is alfo called fpontaneous, was
commonly believed by the ancient philofophers ; but the mo-
derns, from more and better oblervations, unanimoufly reje6l
it, and maintain that all animals, and vegetables too, are uni-
vocaUy produced, that is by parent animals, and vegetables of
tks fame fpecies and denomination,
to
NATURE AND ART. 53
to thefe vifitors for that feafon, Whcfn the young
ones are ready to fly, which is about the middle of
Auguft, the natives hunt them, as they call it, and
take annually about four or five thoufand. The
old ones fly out to fea all day, where having got
their prey, and digefted it in their own ftomachs,
they difgorge it into thofe of their young; for
when the young ones are opened, nothing is found
in them but a digefted oil, or leaves of forrel, fo
that they are almoft one lump of fat. The
greateft part of them are confumed by the inha-
bitants, but fome are pickled in an elegant man-
ner, and fent abroad as prefents.
As we are now fpeaking of wild fowl, it feems
not improper to take notice of the vaft numbers
of the aquatic kind, particularly the duck, mal-
lard, teal, and widgeon, which are taken in the
fens of Lincolnfliire, and the neighbouring coun-
ties. The manner of taking them in deco)8
(as they are called) into which they are enticed
by ducks bred up tame for that purpofe, is cu-
rious enough, and very profitable to the inhabi-
tants. The decoy-ducks, being brought up in
the decoy-ponds, and fed conftantly at certain
places, become at length fo familiar with their
feeder, as to take their meat out of his hand ; and
as they are not confined, they fly abroad and re-
turn again at pleafure. At the proper feafon of
the year thefe fubtile creatures take frequent
flights, and fometimes, after being abfent feveral
weeks, return home with a very numerous com-
pany, invited (as is fuppofcd) from Holland
or other parts of the continent, to partake of
their entertainment. As foon as the decoy-men
perceive they are fettled in the pond, and that
their numbers are increafing, they go fecretly to
the fide of the pond, under the cover of hedges
D 3 made
54 The WONDERS of
made with reeds, and then thro?/ over handfuls of
corn into fuch {hallow places as the decoy-ducks
are acquainted with, to which they refort and en-
tice theftrangers. Thus they are entertained with-
out any difturbance for feveral days, the bait being
fometimes thrown in one place, fometimes in
another, till at length they are led infenfibly into
a narrower part of the pond, where the trees on
each fide hang over-head like an arbour, though
at a good height from the v/ater. Here the
boughs are fo artfully managed, that a large net
is fpread near the tops of the trees, and faftened to
hoops which reach from fide to fide; but the
pafTage is flill fo vv'ide and fo lofty, that the fowls
do not perceive the net above them. The decoy-
man, keeping unfeen behind the reeds, goes for-
ward, throwing corn into the water, which the
decoy-ducks greedily fall upon, and encourage
their foreign guefts to follow them, till by degrees
they are all got under the arch or fweep of the net,
which imperceptibly grows lower and narrower,
till it ends in a point like a purfe, perhaps two
or three hundred yards from the firft entrance.
When the decoy-man fees they are all fufEciently
within the net, on a fudden a dog, which till then
keeps clofe by him, and which is perfedlly taught
his bufinefs, rufhes from behind the reeds into the
\vater, fwimming diredtly after the ducks, and
barking as he fwims. Immediately the frighted
ducks take wing, but being beat down again by
the net, they neceflarily fwim forward to avoid the
dog, till at laft they are hurried into the purfe,
where they fall a prey to the decoy- man, who
there waits to receive them. — By this means incre-
dible numbers of wild fowl are taken every week
during the feafon, moft of which are fent up to
London J
NATURE AND ART. 55;
London ; infomuch that fome of the decoys are
rented at four or five hundred pounds per annum.
We might eafily enlarge upon this fubject,
and give an account of remarkable quadrupeds,
fifhes, infers, &c. which are the production of
Britain and theBritifh feas ; but this would require
a volume of itfelf, and be running beyond ourde-
fign, which is only to defcribe a few of the greateft,
not all the curiofities of every country ; and there-
fore we proceed to take a view of fome of the re-
mains of antiquity with which our ifland a-
bounds.
A N T I Q^U I T I E S.
ON E of the greateft wonders of this kind is
Stonehenge, a famous pile or monument of
huge ftones on Salifbury Plain, about fix miles
diftant from that city. Antiquaries are very
much divided in their opinions concerning the
origin and ufe of this furprifing fabric. Many of
them take the ftones to be artificial, and to have
been made on the fpot, thinking them too un-
vrieldy for land-carriage j but Inigo Jones is pofi-
tive they are all natural, and whoever examines the
grain of them exa£Hy will be of his opinion.
This celebrated architedl, in a treatife publifhed
in 1658, ftrives hard to perfuade us that it was a
Roman temple. Others, reading the name Stone-^
Hengift, maintain it to have been a monument
eredted in memory of Hengift, the firft general of
the Saxons in England, Some will have it to
have been the burial-place of Ambrofius, King
of the Britons ; and others, that it was raifed by
that prince in memory of the Britons, who were
there llaughtered by the Saxons. But no author
has handled this matter fo fully and clearly aji.
D 4 Dr.
56 The WONDERS or
Dr. Stukely, who feems to have made it more
than probable that it was a temple of the Britifh
Druids*, and the chief of all their temples in
this ifland. We fhall therefore borrov/ a fliort
account of it from the dodlor's learned diifertation
on this fubjecl.
Stonehenge is fituated on a rifing ground, and
makes a grand and awful appearance, efpecially as
we approach it on the north-eaft, which fide re-
mains moft perfeft. It is encompaffed by a cir-
cular ditch or trench, which having pafied, we af-
cend thirty-five yards before we come at the work
itfelf. The whole confifts of four circles of
ftones, or rather two circles and two ovals, the
outermoft being about a hundred and eight feet
in diameter. Of the outer circle, which origi-
* The Druids were the priefts or minifters of religion
among the ancient Britons, Gauls, and Germans 5 and being
chofen out of the beft families, the honours of their birth, to-
gether with thofe of their fun6lion, procured them the higheft
veneration. Nor had they only the adminftration of faci ed
things, but were the judges and arbiters of all affairs indif-
ferently, both publick and private 5 and fuch as difobeyed
their decifions were excommunicated, which was their princi-
pal punifhment. Every nation had an Arch-Druid, or high-
prieft, who a6led with abfolute authority over all the reft.
We know but little as to their peculiar do6lrines, only that
they believed the immortality of the foul. They ftudied af-
trology, geometry, natural philofophy, and morality ; and
being in the greatefl eft-em, the Britifh and Gaulifti youth
flocked to them for inftru6lion. The children of the nobility
(according to Mela) retired with them into caves and forefts,
where they fometimes lived twenty years under their tuition.
They preferved the memory of the actions of great men in
their verfes, which they never allowed to be wrote down, but
made their pupils learn them by heart. They had the Mifle-
toe in fingular veneration, gathering it every year with abun-
dance of ceremony. Hiftory informs us, that upon fome ex-
traordinary occafions they offered human facrifices ; but the
cuftom was condemned by Auguftus, and entirely abolifhed
by the fucceeding emperors.
NATURE AND ART. 57
nally confifted of fixty ftones, that is , thirty up-
rights and thirty impofts, there are feventeen up-
rights left {landing, fix of which have impofts
upon them, and two more are ftill to be feen ly-
ing upon the ground, and alfo fix more uprights,
Thefe ftones are of a vaft bulk, the uprights be-
ing nine cubits high, exclufive of the impofts ;
and the cubit is about twenty inches Englifii
meafure.— The inner circle, which is about eight
feet diftant from the firft, confifted of forty leffer
ftones, which never had any impofts. They are
flat parallelograms, like thofe of the outer circle ;
and nineteen of them are yet ftanding. They are
a cubit thick, and two and a half high, being juft
half as big as the uprights of the outer circle.
The walk between thefe two circles, which is a
hundred yards in circumference, muft have been
very noble and delightful when this wonderful
ftrufture was entire.
Within thefe circles are the two ovals,
which are the principal part of the work^ here be-
ing the Adytum, or cell, into which we may fup-
pofe none but the upper order of druids were to
enter. This is compofed of what the do£lor
calls Trilithons, each of which confifts of two
upright ftones, fupporting another laid acrofs their
heads and joined by mortifes. Of thefe there
are five remaining, three of which are entire, and
two ruined in fome meafure, but the ftones are ftill
upon the fpot. From the entrance into the ady-
tum, thefe trilithons are placed two and two on
each fide, and one at the upper end^ which was
the higheft, as the two firft on the right and left
were the loweft ^ but all the ftones are of a fur-
prizing magnitude. The firft trilithon on the
right has fuffered much, its impoft and one of the
uprights being tumbled town, and each brokeni
D 5 into
5§ The WONDERS of
into three pieces. The oppofite trilithon on the
left hand is ftanding, but very much decayed ;
the next to it is entire, as is likewife that facing
it on the right, except that one end of the impolt
is fallen off, and its upper part much impaired by
the weather. The trilithon at the upper end,
which flood beyond the altar, was the fineft part
of the whole work, the uprights having been (ac-
cording to the doctor) above ten yards long, well
chilfelled, anc: juftly proportioned in their dimen-
fions. One of them ftands entire, but leans againft
one of the ftones of the inner oval ; the other is
broken in two, and lies upon the altar, as does the
huge impoft it once fupported. This broken ftone
(thedo&or tells us) weighs above forty tons, and
would require a hundred and forty oxen to draw it,
;^ind yet is not the heavieft ftone neither. It is
therefore amazing, not 6nly how fuch maffy loads
were brought hither (as they muft have been)
from the diftance of fifteen or fixteen miles, but
to fee fo many of them placed together in a nice
and critical figure, artfully joined by tenons and
rnortifes, and a gecmetrical proportion cbferved
through the v/hcle ftruciure. How could they
manage fuch prodigious ftones as thefe, which they
have fixed as it were in fockets dug in the chalk,
and ramrned inlikepofts, without more irregula-
rity in their height and diftance ?*
Though the fize of many of thefe ftones is enormciis
- encngh, yet they aie trifles ^<}mpaied to fome that we read
of. Thofe (for ini-ance) that were ufed in building the
battlement or additional Vv'all to fupport the precipice of
M^ unt Moriah, on which the temple was ere61ed, were much
larger than any of Stonehenge, each fione being forty cubits
- in length, fourteen in breadth, and eight in thicknefs. Per-
haps tliC ancients had fome method of moving heavier weights
than we now find practicable.
NATURE AND ART. 59
The inner oval confifts of lefier ftones, which
rofe gradually in height from the entrance to the
upper end of the Adytum. There are only fix
of thefe remaining upright, with the ftumps of
three or four more, and feveral lying on the
ground. — As for the ftone which our author takes
to have been the altar, it is of a different kind
from the reft, refembling the blue coarfe marbk
that is brought from Derbyftiire, and frequently
ufed for tomb-ftones. It is twenty inches thick,
and about twice as abroad ; but its length is not
eafily ascertained, it being broken into feveral pieces,
and almoft funk into the ground by the weight of
the ruins fallen upon it, particularly the impoft,
and one of the uprights of the great trilithon
above-mentioned. — The heads of oxen, d'eer^
and other beafts, (the undoubted reliqucs of facri-
fices) which have been found upon digging in and
about this place, are a confirmation that Stone-
henge was originally a pagan temple
* Dr. Stukely fuppofes, that Stonehenge was built not long
after Cambyles invaded Egypt, and by his outrages forced
the priefts and inhabitants in general to difperfe themfelves
into all paits of the world. Some of thefe, he imagines, came
into Britain, and introduced part of their learning, arts, and
religion among the Druids, and perhaps had a hand in this
very fabrick, the Hones being wrought v^ith a tool, which he
thinks was not the cuftom of the Druids, their other works;
being of rude ftone-,, after the patriarchal and Jewifh mode.
At that time the Phoenician trade was at its height, whofe
vefTels might convey the Egyptians to this illand j which
makes our author's conjefture the more probable. This was
before the building of the fecond temple of Jerufidem—
What might polTibly have cleared up theie uncertainties, wa»
a tablet of tin, with an infcription upon it, found at Stone-
henge in the reign of king Henry VIII. But as the cha-
ra6lers were not then underftood by thofe who were confulted
on that occafion, the plate was deftroyed^ or at leaft thrown
by and loft.
D 6 Arouni:)
6o The WONDERS of
Around this temple are a great number of Bar*
rows, (as they are called) or monuments of earth
thrown up in form of a bell, moft of them fur-
rounded with little ditches, and fome cf them
with a large circular trench of fixty or a hundred
cubits in diameter. All the rifing grounds about
Stonehenge. for feveral miles round, are covered
with thefe barrows j from whence fome ha\ e con-
cluded, that great battles have been fought upon
the plain, and that the bodies of the flain were
there interred : but they are in reality no other
than family burying-places, and feveral of them
the fingle fepulchres of kings and eminent per-
fons, which are fituated near this temple, for the
fame reafon that we bury in church-yards and
\. onfecrated ground ; for it is obfervable, that all
thefe barrows, even thofe at the greatell diftance,.
are within view of Stonehenge.
In the year 1722, the late lord Pembrokeopened
a barrow, and in the centre of it, about three feet
under the furface, found a perfect fkeleton, the
head lying north towards Stonehenge. The year
following, by his lordfhip's order. Dr. Stukely
opened another, and found an urn of unbaked
clav, containing a heap of burnt bones, inter-
mixed with a great many beads of various fhapes
and colours. The collar-bone and one fide of the
under-iaw remained very entire; from the fize of
which, and from the female trinkets depofited in
the urn, it appears to have been a young woman
of fourteen or fifteen years of age, who had car-
ried arms, as the Britifh virgins ufed to do, the
brafs i ead of her javelin being found amongll: the
remains. In the next barrow to this, inclofed
within the fame trench, was found the (keleton
of a man, but through length of time, the bones
were exceedingly rotten and perifhed. In another
barrow
NATURE AND ART. 6i
barrow, the do£tor found all the burnt bones of a
man, but no figns of an urn ; and in fome barrows,
amongft the human bones, were thofe of horfes,
dogs, and other animals . From thefe difcoveries
our learned author thinks it evident, that the an-
cient Britons had the cuftom of burning the bo-
dies of their dead before the name of Rome was
known.
Sylchester, which is now only a hamlet,
confifting of one farm-houfe and a church, is
feated in a fine open country, in the county of
Hants, and on the borders of Berkfhire, lo miles
from Reading, but was once a large and populous
city, the celebrated Vindomia or Vindomiura of
the Romans, as appears from the veftiges ftill re*
maining. The walls are in many places almoft
entire, and in fome near twenty feet high, having
various kinds of trees, of fuch confiderable bulk
growing out of them, that within twenty years
paft, they are faid to have yielded near a thoufand
pounds worth of timber. Thefe walls are chiefly
built with flints, though other forts of ftones are
frequently intermixed, and every where, at the
diftance of about two feet, there is a ftratum or
layer of broad flag-ftones, which was probably in-
tended to prevent the flint and other fmall ftones
from falling fo readily, if battered by thofe en-
gines called by the Romans Battering Rams. On
the fouth, fouth-eaft, and fouth-weft fides, the
walls are at leaft fourteen feet thick ; but the north
fide is lefs fubftantial, probably on account of its
being ftrengthened by a mote, which the fprings
would always keep full; for on that fide the ditch
ftill remains, and is in many places filled with
water. The form of the city is irregular, but
feems to have been intended for an hexagon.
There were four gates pointing to the four quar-
- ' tersa
62 The WONDERS or
ters, and juft without the eaft-gate, at about a
hundred yards diftance from the wall, are the re-
mains of a Roman amphitheatre, which appears to
have been fix feats deep. The area is now made
a horfe-pond, but the water might be eafily let ofF,
the veftiges of the old drains being ftill to be feen,
and might be opened with little difficulty. On the
fouth-fide of the wall there is ftill a fally-port, and
part of a fubterraneous paffage.
The contents of the land within the walls is
about an hundred acres, which is nearly as much
as was included within the walls of London ; and
on the outfide of them, there were doubtlefs con-
fiderable buildings ; for at about the diftance of
300 yards from the walls, there is a bank and
ditch, which covers near two-thirds of the city,
on thofe parts where the ground is firm, and the
city was moft likely to be attacked. Befides thefc
veftiges, at about the diftance of a mile and a half
from the walls to the north-weft, is a village
called the Soak ; near it are the remains of a
camp, which, by the form, appears not to be Ro-
man ; and about half a mile from the Soak, is a
bank and ditch, which extend feveral miles; but
as they do not feem to environ the city, they were
probably no part of the works of fecurity, but are
of a more modern date.
This city v/as well fituated for health, but not
for the conveniencies of life ; for there is no river
within many miles of it, and only a little rivulet,
which rifes in Kingflere hill% and running within
a mile of the walls, difcharges itfelf into the river
Kennett, at Reading. There is indeed one fpring
within the walls, near the eaft-fide, which, from
the pieces of leaden pipes that have been dug up,
feems to have fupplied good part of the city with
water. Indeed there are many fprings without
NATURE AND ART. 63
the walls, and perhaps there might be wells enpugh
within, to afford water fufficient to enable the in-
habitants to fuftain a fiege.
The ftreets of the city were regular, and inter-
fered each other at equal dillances ; the one part
running from eaft to weft, and the other extend-
ing from north to fouth, as may be evidently feen
by the corn growing in the fields, efpecially if
viewed before harveft ; where you may trace not
only the ftreets, but the foundations of many
houfes, fome of which feem to have been very
large, the contents of many of the rooms being
thirty-three feet by twenty-eight. The city ap-
pears to have been burnt, from the great quantity
of afties and charcoal that is now dug up, without
any timber ; and many pieces of the coin, which
are dug up, are fo burnt, as to be deprived of the
phlogiiton-principle, and capable of being reduced
to powder.
In or near the middle of the city, are fome re-
mains of a temple, which appears to have been
dedicated to Hercules, from an infcription on a
piece of grey marble dug out of the foundation by
Mr. Stair of Aldermafton in Bucks.
Camden informs us, that this city was rebuilt
by Conftantius, but has not been able to tell us
by whom it was firft eredled. It was, however,
probably built by the ancient Britons, for they
very early learned the method of building forts
from the Phoenicians ; and Mr. Stair, in digging
under the old buildings, and taking up the Roman
pavements, with their foundations, difcovered
other foundations of an older date, and of a dif-
ferent workmanfliip, compofed of rough flint
ftones, and a gravelly mortar. What confirms
this coiijefture of thefe being the works of the
ancient Britons, is, that Britifh coins have been
found
64 The WONDERS of
found there, among which is one of gold, and
another of filver, very perfect, and extreniely well
preferv^ed, now in the pofieffion of Mr. Stair.
The materials dug up from the ruins are Ro«
man pavements, Roman tiles, pieces of coarfe
marble, pieces of round free-ftone pillars, fquarc
free-ftones fluted at the edges, fome of them very
large; pieces of ftatues, but none entire; pieces
of copper veflels ornamented ; the bones of various
animals, and what is very extraordinary, without
the walls, to the eaftward, a human fkeleton was
dug up, that was full nine feet long.
The coins, which have been found here in great
abundance, are of gold, filver, copper, and Co-
rinthian brafs; fome are only cafed with filver,
and others only gilt. Among thefe coins, as we
have already obferved, are fome that are ancient
Britifli, and the reft are Roman. Some of the
latter are confular, and the reft are of moft of the
' emperors and empreffes, from Auguftus down to
Maximus, in or near whofe reign the city was
probably deftroyed ; for though a great number of
coins are found of almoft all the emperors and
emprelTes, (except Otho) yet not one has been
found of any Roman monarch fince Maximus,
nor any Saxon or Danifh coins at all, which there
probably would have been, had the city fubfifted
after his time. It muil be obferved, that Mr»
Stair has in his pofleflion above two thoufand coins
in gold, filver, copper, and brafs, which have
been dug up here, on moft of which the infcrip-
tions are entire, though the reverfes are* moftly
different. Two onyx-ftones, on one of which
was depicted a cock picking out of a Cornu-
copia, or Horn of Plenty; and the other had
thefe four letters ZACP. They were each of
the fize of common feals, and both of an oval form.
Among
NATURE AND ART. 65
Among the antiquities of England, and per-
haps of any other country in the world, none de-
ferve a particular defcription more than the once
ancient and beautiful city of Old Sarum, which
ftands at the diftance of one mile north of the city
of Salifbury, and was formerly the fee of a bifliop,
who had a cathedral here. This city was per-
fedlly round, and, v/hen in^ its profperity, toge-
ther with its lofty caftle, rifmg from the centre of
the city, muft doubtlefs have afforded a very grand
and formidable appearance, the whole being built
on a large hill, thati:ommands a beautiful and ex-
tenfive profpeil:, which, with immenfe labour,
was reduced to an uniform circular figure. The
city was near two thoufand feet in diameter, en-
compalfed by a ditch of great depth, and two ram-
parts, the inner and the outer. On the inner,
which is much higher than the outer, flood a wall,
near twelve feet broad at its bafe, formed of flint
and chalk, ftrongly cemented together, and cafed
with hewn ftone-work, on which was a parapet
with battlements quite round. Of this wall there
are ftill large remains to be feen on the north-
weft fide.
At a confiderable diftance on the fummit of
the hill, which was in the centre of the whole cir-
cumference, ftood the caftle or citadel, furrounded
with a deep intrenchment, and a high rampart.
In the area under the caftle is a wide fpace be-
tween the before-mentioned inner and outer ram-
parts, in which ftood the city, which was divided
into equal parts, north and Jouth ; and near the
middleof each divifionwere the gates, which formed
the two grand entrances, and were dire£lly oppo-
fite to each other. Each of thefe gates had a
tower over it, and before it was a mole of great
ftrength. Befides thefe, there were ten other
tov/ers.
66
The wonders of
towers, which extended, at equal diftances, quite
round the city ; and oppofite to them, in a ftraight
line with the caftle, were built the principal ftreets
of the city, interfedled in the middle by one grand
circular ftreet, that went quite round.
, The area on which the city ftood, thus fur-
rounded with walls, ramparts, towers, and a deep
intrenchment, was alfo, for its greater fecurity,
divided into nearly equal parts by other intrench-
ments and ramparts, by which means, if one part
was taken, the other was ftill defenfible ; and if
the whole of the outworks were in the hands of
an enemy, the befieged might retire into the caftle^^
v/hofe walls," from the large fragments and foun-
dations that are left, appear to have been impreg-
nable. There feems to have been but one grand
entrance into the caftle, which was on the eaft,
through a narrow gate of immenfe ftrength, from
whence a double winding llair-cafe led to the top.
There appears to have been five wells, all of them
long fince filled up, four in the city, and one in
the caftle, chiefly defigned to fupply the garrifon
and the inhabitants in time of war, or in cafe of a
fiege, the river being about half a mile diftant.
Whether Julius Caefar puftied his conquefts
thus far, is controverted; but that it was fre-
quented by the Romans, is moft certain, from the
coins of Conftans, Magnentius, Conftantine and
Crifpus, often found there. Kenrick the Saxon,
after he had conquered the Britons in the year 553,
was the firft that got pofteffion of this place. He
often refided here, and it was pofleffed by the
Weft-Saxon kings, his defcendants, till Egbert
brought the whole heptarchy under his power.
King Edgar, who was defcended from him, called
a great council or parliament here in 960. But
in the year 1003, it was taken by king Swain,
Vv'ho
NATURE AND ART. 67
who halving pillaged and burnt part of it, returned
with his army to his fliips, loaded with wealth.
About three miles from Woodftock in Ox-
fordfhire, is a monument of antiquity, called
Roll rich-Stones, fomething of the nature of
Stonehcnge, it being a circle of ftones of an
irregular figure, but not above five feet high,
fome few excepted. Mr, Toland takes them to
be the remains of an old Britifli temple ; others
fuppofe they v/ere raifed in memory of a vi£lory
obtained by Rollo the Dane, or on occafion of his
being proclaimed king of England by his army.
That they were ere£led on account of the corona-
tion of fome of the Danifli kings, feems indeed to
be the moft probable conjecflure *
Amongst the antiquities of this kind we majr
reckon the Hurlers, a number of large ftones in
three circles, on a Down not far from Bodmin in
Cornwall. They are oblong, rough, and un-
hewn ; and take their name from a fuperftitious
opinion of the vulgar, that they were men tranf-
formed into ftones for profaning the fabbath, by
Hurling the ball, an exercife for which the people
of that county are particularly famous. Some take
them for trophies ereded in memory of a battle ;
others for boundaries to diftinguifh lands; and
others, with more probability, for fepulchral
monuments ; but Dr. Stukely will have it to have
* At a little dlftance from this circle of ftones there is one
larger than tlie relt, which the country-people call the King,
fvom a fabulous tradition amongft them not worth mention-
ing ; but (as the author of the Addenda to Mr. Camden
obicrves) this may pofTibly be the Kongftolen belonging to
the circles of ftoues, ufually raifed for the coronation of the
norihern kings, as Wormius informs us; efpecially fmce we
hMn from the fame author, that this Kongftolen, though
connnonly placed in the middle, was yet fometimes- at a di-
ftance from t-ht circle.
been
The wonders of
been a temple of the Druids, as well as Stone-
henge on Salifbury Plain.
'I HESE circles of ftones are frequent in Wales,
where we likewife find many other monuments of
a different kind, which may be reckoned among
thofe unaccountable antiquities that are beyond
the reach of hiftory. As a fpecimen of the reft,
we fhall mention that called Arthur's Stone, upon
Kevn-bryn, a mountain in Glamorganfhire. This
is a vaft unwrought ftone, weighing about twenty
tons, fupported by fix or fcven others not more
than four feet high, fet round in a circle. They
are all of the mill-ftone kind, which is the natural
ftone of the mountain ; and it is faid, that feveral
tons have been broken off the great one for that
ufe. The carriage and fixing this huge ftone upon
its fupporters, is plainly the efFedl of human art
and labour, which muft have been more than we
can eafily conceive. There are feveral other mo-
numents of this fort in Wales, which are gene-
rally fuppofed to have been places of burial.
In Hoy, one of the Orkney iflands, there is a
very remarkable ftone called the Dwarf-Stone,
thirty-fix feet long, eighteen broad, and nine
thick. It is all hollowed within, having an en-
trance on one fide about two feet fquare, with a
ftone of the fame dimenfions lying near it, which
undoubtedly was intended for a door. Within, at
the fouth end of it, there is the form of a bed and
pillow, big enough for two perfons, neatly cut
out of the ftone. At the north end there is an-
other bed or couch, and in the middle is a fire-
place, with a hole above it for a chimney. The
marks of the workman's tool are very evident
about it ; and it is generally fuppofed to have been
a hermitage.
Amongst
NATURE AND ART. 69
Amongst the antiquities of Britain we ought
to mention the famous Pifts Wall, which crofled
the whole ifland from Newcaftle upon Tyne to the
Irifti fea, above eighty miles in extent. It was
built by the Romans, to prevent the Pidls and
Scots from making their inroads, as they fre-
quently did, into the fouthern parts of the ifland.
The emperor Adrian firfl threw up a wall of earth,
flrengthened with large flakes drove into the
ground, and wreathed together with wattles.
This was repaired in the year 123 by the emperor
Severus, who added to it feveral ftone-turrets,
near enough to give an alarm from one to another
by the found of a trumpet. Having been feveral
times defl:royed by the Pifts, and repaired by the
Romans, at laft iEtius, a Roman general, re-
built it of ftone in the year 430 ; but it was foon
after ruined by the Pidts, and no longer regarded
but as a boundary * between the two nations.
This wall was eight feet thick and twelve feet
high, and the remains of it are ftill to be feen in
feveral parts of Cumberland and Northumberland.
The higheft piece of it that is now left ftanding
between Carlifle and Newcaftle, is about Thirle-
wall, where it is near three yards high; but the
far greater part of it has been carried off to build
houfes, or to make fences about the neighbouring
grounds ; and in fome places whole towns Hand
at this time upon the very foundation,
Ireland is not fo full of antiquities as Great-
Britain, though not deftitute of fuch curiofities.
About a mile from Caftle-Connei:^ in the county
* Towards the end of the laft century was found in the
rubbilh of this wall a winged image of brafs, about fix inches
long, agreeing well enough with the defcription which ibme
of the ancients have given us of the god Terminus, whom
ihey ufcd to lay in the foundations of their boundaries,
of
70 The WONDERS of
of Rofcommon, there is a round hill, into which
an entrance was difcovered in 164c, and feveral
fquare chambers found within it, built with large
ftones, and communicating with each other by
circular paflages. — In the hill, or rather rock of
Corren, many ftrange receflbs have been formed ;
and before thefe caves there is a path cut out of
the rock, about a hundred paces in length. This
w^ork, which the country people call the Giant's
Houfe, is fuppofed to be either Irifti or Danifn. —
An ancient marble fepulchre was dug up at Dub-
lin in 1646, containing coals, aflies, and human
bones, which is reckoned to have belonged to the
Danes before their converficn to chriftianity. —
Urns, altars, trumpets, &c. have been difcovered
in the county of Tyrone, in the province of Ul-
fter, of which an account is given in the Philofo-
phical Tranfaelions.
If the reader would be more fully informed of
the curious remains of antiquity to be feen in thefe
kingdoms, we refer him to Camden, and other
authors who have profeffedly wrote on that fub-
je£l, and proceed to give a brief defcription of
fome of our moft remarkable buildings, ancient
and modern.
BUILDINGS.
OF all the churches in England, or even in
Europe, (if we except St. Peter's at Rome)
the moft famous is St. Paul's cathedral in Lon-
don y one of the moft magnificent and beautiful
ftruitures that any modern age has produced,
though theeftedt it ought to have is much cramped
by the great crowd of buildings with which it is
too clofely furrounded. Some indeed have cen-
fured it for its heavinefs ; but thefe critics have
neither made allowance for its difadvantageoi:«
fituation,
NATURE AND ART, 71
fituation, nor confidered feparately the beauty and
proportion of every part, in order to enter into the
nature and defign of the whole compofition. Let
this be done by any one who underftands the rules
of archite£]"ure, and we may venture to affirm,
that St. Paul's will be found no more liable to the
objeftion of being a heavy pile, than St. Peter's
itfelf.
It is built of fine Portland ftone, after the mo-
del of St. Peter's at Rome, having two ranges of
pilafters on the outfide, one above another, be-
fides twenty columns at the eaft, and four at the
weft-end, and thofe of the porticoes. There is a
very handfome afcent to the weft portico, which
is Supported by twelve columns, and eight above
•them fupport a pediment, in which is a noble bafs-
relief, reprefenting the hiftory of St. Paul's Con-
verfion. The afcent to the north portico is by
twelve fteps of black marble, the dome whereof is
raifed upon fix columns, over which are the queen's
arms fupported by two angels, and under their
feet a lion and an unicorn. To the fouth portico
we afcend by twenty- five fteps, and over the door-
cafe is a phcenix in flames, with the word Refur-
gam underneath it. The iron baluftrade which
runs round the church is very beautiful, the ex-
pence of which amounted to above eleven thou-
fand pounds, there being near three hundred tons
of iron in it, which coft fixpence a pound. The
pillars which fupport the roof and cupola, or dome,
are very large, and all adorned with pilafters of
the Corinthian and Compofite orders. Round the
infide of the cupola, where the Converfion of St.
Paul is finely painted by the late Sir James Thorn- .
hill, runs a handfome gallery, which has
iron rails. Here a whifper, or even the tick-
ing of a watch, may be heard diftindly, at the
diftance
72 The WONDERS of
diftance of more than a hundred feet. Above the
dome, on the outfide, there is a neat gilded bal-
cony, and above that a ftone lanthorn near feventy
feet high, with a ball and gilt crofs at the top.
The floor of the choir is paved with marble, and
the altar-piece has four beautiful pilafters, painted
and veined with gold, in imitation of Lapis Lazuli.
At the weft end of the cathedral is a curious
marble ftatue of the late queen Anne, holding a
fceptre in one hand, and a globe in the other,
furrounded with four beautiful emblematical fi-
gures, reprefenting Great Britain, France, Ire-
land, and America.
The whole expenceof this magnificent fabriclc,
from laying the foundation of it to the preCcnt
time, is computed at above a million fterling.
Its length from eaft to weft. Including the portico,
is 500 feet ; its breadth, including the north and
fouth porticoes, 31 1; and its heighth, from the
ground to the top of the crofs, 344. The heighth
of the turrets at the weft end is 208 feet, and of
the body of the church, 120. Upon the whole,
we may conclude, that if Sir Chriftopher Wren's
plan had been followed, according to which this
cathedral was to have had an area fuitable to its
bignefs, all the principal ftreets to have been laid
in dire6l lines upon rebuilding the city after the
fire, the houfes built uniform, and placed on pi-
azzas, the parifh-churches difpofed in proper
points of view, &c. if this had been done, St.
Paul's would not only have appeared to much
greater advantage, but the fymmetry arifing from
fo many beautiful viftos would perhaps have fur-
paffed any thing that has yet been feen in the
world.
Let us now take a view of that ancient and
venerable pile, the abby-church of St. Peter,
Weft-
NATURE AND ART. 73
Weftminfter, which was fifty years in building,
and which has been the burial-place of moft of
the Britifli monarchs. The form of the church
is a long crofs, and the choir, which has an
afcent of feveral fteps to a beautiful altar-piece,
is paved with black and white marble. The
whole length of the Abbey is about 490 feet, the
breadth of the weft end 66, that of the crofs-illc
189; and the height of the middle roof is 92.
The pillars are of Suflex marble, and are fifty in
number, befides near the fame number of pilafters.
There are 94 windows, of which thofe at the four
ends of the church are very fpacious ; which, with
the roofs, doors, arches, &c. are all of the ancient
Gothic order. The outfide was adorned with
many ftatues of kings, moft which are nov/ de-
cayed. Some figures of the apoftles in Gothic
niches ftill remain, and a vaft number of fmall fi-
gures in relievo.
Of the chapels, which contain the funeral
monuments of our kings and nobility, that built by
Henry VII. is particularly beautiful, at the eaft
end of which is a large window with fine painted
glafs, and at the weft end three fpacious portals of
folid brafs, which open into the room where the
lower houfe of Convocation formerly fat. The
roof, which is all of ftone, is divided into fixteen
circles of moft curious workmanftiip, and fupport-
ed by pillars and arches of the Gothic order, en-
riched with figures of fruit and other ornaments.
Here are likewife a great many ftatues in niches,
which look like kings, queens, &c. having angels
under them fupporting imperial crowns ; but they
are commonly taken for faints or martyrs. Ijn
this chapel is the tomb of the royal founder and
his queen, whofe figures lie on it at full length,
in folid brafs richly gilt 5 and at each corner is an
Vol. L E angel
fj^^ The wonders 01^
gingel In the fame metah On the fides of the pc- '
diftal are two Cupids fupporting the king's arms,
and an imperial crown, an angel treading on a I
dragon, and various other figures. The fcreen or •
fence round this tomb is alfo offolid brafs, adorn- I
ed with pillars and arches, and enriched with rofei
and other ornaments, all of excellent workman-
fhip, — But a more particular account of this and all
the other ftately tombs and monuments that adorn ;
this Abbey, would much exceed the room we can ^
allow them here ; we (hall therefore only add, i
that of the modern ones among the fineft arc
reckoned thofe of the late duke and his mother
the dutchefs of Buckinghamfliire, in the chapel ;
we have been defcribing j and in the Abbey thofc i
of the duke of Argyle, Sir Ifaac Newton, Sir God-
frey Kneller, Lord Stanhope, Capt. Cornwall, Sir '
Peter Warren, Sir Charles V/ ager. General Gueft,
the duke of Argyle, General Wade, Shake-
fpear, and Prior. B'^fides thefe there are a great num-
ber, that are curious pieces of fculpture, per- |
formed by the beft ftatuaries. — Perhaps fome per- ]
fons may think it juft worth mentioning, that in |
Edward the Confeflbr's chapel are kept the two
chairs, in which our kings and queens have been !
crowned ever fince the time of Edward I. who
brought hither, among other fpoils taken from the j
Scots, the famous marble-ftone placed under one
of the chairs, on which the kings of Scotland had \
been crowned for many ages. \
We now proceed to the famous Minfter or \
Catherdral of York, which is dedicated to St*
Peter, built in the Gothic tafte, and by fome
cfteemed the fineft in England, if not fuperior
to any thing of the kind in Italy 5 for here the \
rules of proportion have been obferved much more, ^
that what is ufually found in other Gothic ftruc- j
tures. i
NATU RE^ ^ND ART. 75 f
tures. The weft front is adorned with two regu-
lar towers, bound together and fupported by the ]
largeft Gothic arch in Eurd^^, under which is the |
principal entrance into the chtm:4w Over this
arch is a magnificent window, as there is another ;
at the eaft end, which can never be fufficiently ad- i
mired, being upwards of thirty feet in breadth,
and feventy-five in height, and beautifully paint- ^
ed with the hiftory of the Bible in a hundred j
and feventeen partitions. The moft remarkable
deficiency is in the lanthorn fteeple, which termi-
nates but indilFerently , though it is finely orna- ^
mented, and has eight ftately windows, meafuring ]
forty-five feet from top to bottom. The ftonc •
fcreens at the ends of the choir are beautifully ]
wrought, one of which feparates it from the mid-
dle of the church, and the other terminates it be- \
hind the altar, to which there is a graceful afcent
of fixteen fteps. The carved wood-work of the ]
choir is very ancient, and adorned with a great many j
knotted pinacles. The fouth end of the cathe- ]
dral is beautified with a circular window, called ^
the marigold window, the glafs being ftained of j
that colour ; and at the north end are five lights }
reaching almoft from top to bottom, faid to have j
been erefted at the charge of five maiden fifters, ^
which may be confidered as one ftately window^ i
the painting on which reprefents a rich embroi-
dery of Mofaic needle-work. — The chapter-houfe* i
• Pope Plus the fecond is faid to have very much admired
the cathedral here defcribed, extolling it for its wonderful
magnificence and workmanfliip, and for a lightfome chape),
with glazed walls united by (lender pillars. This chapel
is the chapter-houfe, which is confefTedly one of the neateft 'i
ftru6lures in England, having the following line written om
it in letters of gold ,
Ut rofa flos florum, fic eft domus ifta domorum. '
TUe|ingle would be loft in Englifh : but it implies, that this ;
>uilUmg excels others, as much as the rofc does other flovrers.
^ Z is
76 The WONDERS op
is an oflogon Gothic building, fixty-three feet in
diameter, with windows of painted glafs, and
finifhed with an arch or concave about 68 feet in
height. The roof, which has been finely paint-
ed and carved, but is now much fullied, has not
a pillar to fupportit, but depends entirely upon one
pin, placed geometrically in the centre. It has-
thirty-two ftalls round it, all of fine marble. — In
the veftry-room are preferved fcveral antiquities,
particularly the famous horn, fo called from its
fliape, but made of ivory, by which one Ulphus,
a Saxon governor, difinherited his two fons, and
beftowed his whole eftate on this cathedral *.—
We have only to give the dinienfions of this mag-
nificent ftru£lure, which are as follow. Its
length from eaft to weft is 524 feet ; from north
to fouth 280. The height of the body of the Min-
fter is about ico feet, and the top of the lanthorn
without is 234 feet from the ground. — And we
may add, that in the fouth tower there is a deep
peal of twelve bells, the tenor of which weighs
fifty-nine hundred weight.
Having done with Weftminfter and YorJc,
we ought not to defer any longer our defcription
of the beautiful cathedral at Salifbury, which, of
a Gothic ftru£lure, is certainly the moft elegant
in the kingdom. It was begun in the year 1219,
and finifhed in 1258, when it was confecrated in
the prefence of King Henry III, and 4 great
* Camden relates, from an old author, that " Ulphus find-
•* ing fome difference like to happen between his eldeft and
youngeft fon about the lordfliips after his death, took this
method to make them equal. He let out for York, taking
along with him the horn he ufed to drink out of, filled it
with wine, and kneeling before the altar, beftowed upon
God and St. Peter all his lands and tenements."— This
horn, after being kept in the Minfter till the i6th century, was
jnifling for a long time, but was recovered by Henry Lord
Fairfax, and there remains ?it prefent.
number
NATURE AND ART. 77
number of the bifliops and nobility. It coft above
26,0001. which was a very large fum for thofe
days. The fpire, which is of free-ftone, ftands in
the centre of the cathedral, and is defervedly ad-
mired, being the higheft in the kingdom, viz.
410 feet from the ground, which is twice the
height of the monument in London. It is there*
fore furprifing to think, that the walls of it, upon
examination after the great ftorm in 1703, were
found near the top to be little more than four
inches thick. Since this they have been ftrength-
ened with bands of iron, which perhaps may pre-
ferve the fpire as long as the reft of the building.
In fhort, the outfide of this cathedral is truly
magnificent, but the infide does not come up to
it ; for though the carving, what little there is of
it, is good, the painting is but indifferent. It is
remarked of this fine ftrudture, that its doors are
equal in number to the months of the year, its
windows to the days, and its pillars and pilafters
to the hours*. 1 he latter are a fort of fufile or
caft marble, the art of making which is either
quite loft, or little underftood. There is no afcent
to the choir, which fomewhat refembles a theatre,
being painted with golden pannels, intermixed
with garlands of rofes and other flowers, which run
round the tops of the prebendaries ftalls. The
pillars which fupport the bifhop's throne are gilt,
and it is painted all over with flowers upon white.
* Thefe remarkable circumftances are fummed up In tho
following lines, which are a tranflation of fome Latin ones to
the fame purpofe :
As many days as in one year there be.
So many windows in one church we fee :
As many marble pillars there appear.
As there are hours throughout the fleeting year ;
As many gates as moons one year does view :
Strange tale to tell, yet not more ftrangcthan xvue.
E 3 As
78 The WONDERS of
As to the dimenfions of this church, the length of
it from eaft to weft, including the buttreffes, is
478 feet ; that of the tranfept from north to fouth
210 ; and the height of the vaulting is 80. — But
we muft not forget the chapter-houfe, which is an
oftogon, no lefs than 150 feet in circumference,
ai>d yet the roof has no other fupport than a fmall
marble pillar in the centre ; fo that it is reckoned
a curiofity fcarce to.be matched in Europe.
Here we fhall juft mention the cathedral of
Lincoln, though perhaps it fhould naturally have
followed that of York, there being a contention
between them which has the preference in ex-
tent, though we think it ought to be decided iir
favour of York. In point of fituation however
that of Lincoln has infinitely the advantage, as it
ftands on a high hill, which makes it conspicuous
to a vaft diftance The middle tower is reckon-
ed the higheft in the kingdom, and had formerly
a fpire, but at prefent there are only four ordinary
pinacles, one at each corner. The catharine-
wheel windows are very curious, as are alfo the
chapter-houf€,cloyfters, and library. The circum-
ference of the famous great bell here, ufually called
Tom of Lincoln, is 22 feet 8 inches : it weighs near
five tons, and will hold 424 gallons ale-meafure.
As we are not far from Bofton, it is proper
to take notice of its church, which is reckoned
thelargeft parifh-church without crofs-ifles in the
whole world, being 300 feet long within the walls,
and 100 feet wide. Its roof, which is handfome-
ly cieled with Irilh oak, is fupported by 24. tali
♦ The Monks concluded, from the magnificence and ele-
vation of this ftrufture for divine worfhip, that the Devil muft
needs look upon it with an envious eye ; and hence the pio-
verb of a man who has malice and envy in his countenance.
He looks a» the Devil over Lincoln.
NATURE AND ART. 79
and flender pillars. The tower or fteeple Is fa-
mous for its height aud workmanfhip, being
100 yards high, including the o£togon lanthorn
on the top, which is admired for the thinnefs of the
ftone-work. This extraordinary height makes it
vifible a long way on every fide, and efpecially
towards the lea ; fo that it is a very ufeful guide
to mariners on that dangerous coaft, as well as the
wonder of travellers. — Grantham in this county
has alfo a fine large church, with a fpire fteeple
280 feet high, which is generally reported to ftand
awry ; but this is a vulgar error.
Since we have mentioned fome parifli- churches^
we ought by on means to forget that of Fairford
In Gloucefterlhire, remarkable for its twenty-
eight windows of the fineft painted glafs in i.^ng-
land. They contain the material Hiftories of the
Old and New Teftament, from the ferpent's
tempting Eve, to the afcenfion of our Saviour, and
the defcent of the Holy Ghoft in cloven tongues*
Inthe weft window theLaft Judgment is admirably
reprefented ; and in other windows are the figures
of the twelve apoftles, the four evangelifts, and
fome of the principal fathers of the church. The
whole was defigned by the celebrated Albert
Durer, an Italian ; and the colouring in the dra-
pery, and fome of the figures, is fo well performed^
that Vandyke was of opinion, it could not be ex-
ceeded by the pencil. This beautiful glafs was
taken by Mr. John Tame, a merchant of Lon-
don, in a prize-fhip bound for Rome ; who, hav-
ing purchafed the manor of king Henry VII,
built this church at Fairford, on purpofe to adorn
it with the glafs, which was buried in the grand
rebellion, and by much care fince has been pre-
ferved entire to this day.
E 4 if
8o The WONDERS or
If we look into Scotland, we fliall find many
ancient and magnificent churches, which we can-
not here particularly defcribe. The Great high
Kirk at Edinburgh (formerly its cathedral) de-
ferves to be mentioned, which is built of hewn
ftone in form of a crofs, and ftands in the High-
ftreet in the centre of the city. It is adorned
with fome ftone-pillars and arches, but is moft re-
markable for its lofty tower, with a large open cu-
pola of curious workmanftiip, reprefenting an im-
perial crown ; of which that over St. Nicholas's
church in Newcaftle is a model, but does not
come up to it by far.
The cathedral at Glafgow, is a vaft and {late-
ly edifice, dedicated to St. Mungo, v/ho was bi-
fliop here about the year 560. The feveral rows
of pillars, the high towers, and the lofty fpire (the
higheft in Scotland) that rifes from a fquare
tower in the middle of the crofs, £hew the (kill of
the architeft, and furprife the beholders.
The church of St. Magnus, at Kirkwall, in
Pomona, the chief of the Orkney iflands, (for-
merly a cathedra], but now only a parifh church)
is a beautiful and magnificent ftrudlure, which in
this part of the world is the more furprifing. It
is built of free-ftone, and has a fine fteeple in the
middle of it ere£led on four large pillars, with
fourteen others on each fide, which fupport the
jcof. Its three gates are chequered with red
and white poliflied ftones, embofled and elegantly
flowered. — But it is time to have done with this
part of our fubjeft, on which perhaps the reader
may think we have dwelt too long already.
After this account of the facred edifices that
adorn our Ifland, it is proper to give a brief dc-
fcrlption of fome of the royal palaces ^ amongft
which, whether we regard the ftrufture or the
pleafantnefs
NATURE AND ART. 8i
pleafantnefs of the fituation, Windfor-Caftle de^
lervedly claims the pre-eminence. This place
appeared fo charming a fpot to William the con-
queror, that having purchafed it, by exchange, of
the monks of Weftminfter- Abbey, he built here
a hunting-feat, and had feveral little lodges, for
the conveniency of his fport, in the adjoining
foreft. It was afterwards rebuilt by Henry 1.
and in the reign of Richard I. we find it looked
upon as a place of ftrength : but its prefent mag-
nificence is chiefly owing to Edward III, who en-
larged, altered, and beautified it at avail expence*;
not but that moft of his fucceflbrs feem to have
taken a pleafure in contributing to its grandeur.
The whole confifts of two fquare courts, be-
tween which ftands the round tower, wherein are
very neat apartments for the governor. In the
middle of the inner fquare, called the Higher ward,
which is properly the royal palace, we fee a fine
equeftrian ftatue of King Charles the Second, who
took great delight in this place, and very much
beautified the lodgings with curious paintings and
other ornaments, A noble terrace-walk f , bounds
♦ William of Wickham (afterwards bifhop of Winchef^
ter) had the dire6lion of the work 3 and it is faid he cauf-
ed thefe words. This made Wickham, to be cut in the wall
of the little tower, which from him is called Winchefter tower
to this day : but this infcription, which rendered it dubiou$
whether he made the caftle or the caftle made him, had like
to have loft him his Majefty's favour, till he cleared it up by
mfTuring the King, that he did not afTumc tlie honour or the
ivork to himfelf, but only meant that the caftle had been the
making of him, by the riches and reputation the building of
it had gained him.
f This terrace was added by Queen Elizabeth, who gene-
rally ufed to walk there an hour before dinner, if not hinder-
ed by windy weather, to which ftic had a peculiar averfion ; but
(he liked well enough to walk in a calm rain, with an um-
lireUa over her head,
E 5 tht
82 The WONDERS of
the outfide, and afFords a delightful and cxtenfivd
profpedt over the neighbouring country. This
walk is very fpacious on the north-fide, and is
•vcr-looked by the royal apartments j thofe of
King Edward the Third, which were on the
north-fide, being now allotted (with the reft of
the fquare) to the great officers of the crown.
The guard-chambers are well furnifhed with
arms, which are curioufly difpofed in a great varie-
ty of figures ; and the cieling of one of them is
finely painted, reprefenting Britannia feated
on a globe, the Indies fupplying her with wealth,
and Europe offering her an imperial diadem.
Nothing can exceed the beauty of St. George's-
HaU, at the upper end of which we fee the pic-
ture of King William on horfeback, and under-
neath him appears to be an afcent of ten marble
fteps ; but when we come almoft clofe to them,
we find the flcill of the painter had impofed upon
us, and are agreeably furprifed at the deception.
One fide of this noble room is adorned with fi*
gures as big as the life, reprefenting Edward III. re-
ceiving his triumphant fon the Black Prince, who
prefents to his father the kings of France and
Scotland Prifoners. At the weft end of the hall
is the chapel royal, which is finely painted with
fcripture hiftories ; and the carved work is at leaft
equal to any in the kingdom. In the prefence-
chamber we fee a Judith and Holofernes, as alfo a
Magdalen, both finiflied with a mafterly hand*
In the bed-chamber the Murder of the Innocents is
curioufly reprefented ; and the cieling of the clofet
is adorned with the ftory of Leda and the Swan.
In the gallery is the fine piece of the daughter
giving fuck to her father in prifon. Duns ScO"=*
tus, who is faid to have killed himfelf by an in-
tenfe application to his ftudies, and the Mifer
counting his Money, are both excellent pieces.
But
NATURE AND ART.
But it would take up too much time, as well as
room, to enumerate all the admirable painting*
and other curiofities that adorn this palace.
The other fquare, called the Lower Ward, is
remarkable for the chapel of the Order of the
Garter one of the moft beautiful pieces of an-
cient workmanftiip to be feen in England. The
coats of arms, and the various imagery and other
ornaments, not only of King Edward III, but of
feveral of the firft knights companions, are well
finiftied, and have flood out againft the injury
of time to admiration. In the choir are ttalls
for the Knights of the order, and a throne for the
fovereign; and in the middle of it are alfo ftalls
for the Poor Knights (as they are called) who
live in a fort of hofpital or college on the fouth
fide of the fquare.
To what has been already faid of this ftately
palace I fhall only add, that though it wants a
garden, the beauty and pleafantnefs of its parks,
and the neighbouring foreft, feem to fupply the
deficiency. The little park is above three miles
round, the great one about fourteen, and the
foreft between thirty and forty.
• This is a military order, inftitutcd by King Edward thf
Third, confiding of twenty-fix knights or companions, where-
of the King of England is always fovereign or chief. Some
fay it was firft ere6led in honour of a garter of the Counted
of Salifbury, which flie dropped in dancing, and King Ed-
ward picked up 5 but our beft antiquaries fet this account
afide as fabulous, and take it to have been inftituted on oc-
cafion of the vi<5lory gained over the French at Crefly, when
that Prince (fay fome hiftorians) ordered his garter to be dis-
play ed as a fignal of battle.
f Thefe were originally twenty-fix in number, and were to
be gentlemen wounded in the wars, or impaired by indigence
or age. They are now reduced to eighteen, with an allow-
ance of 40I. a year each j and are obliged, by their order, to
go in their robes twice a day to church, to pray for the ibve*
feign and knights of the garter.
E 6 Trtt
84 The WONDERS of
The royal palace of Hampton-Court, built
by the famous Cardinal Wolfey, deferv€s to be
mentioned, though it might be tedious, after fay-
ing fo much of Windfor-Caftle, to be particular
in defcribing either the building or its ornaments.
It is pleafantly fituated on the river Thames, nor
is the ftru(Sture inferior to its fituation, having
two very magnificent fronts, and being every way
fit for the reception of a royal family. The gar-
dens are exceeding beautiful ; in which particular,
but in no other, it has the advantage of the palace
at Windfor. The apartments are richly furnifhed,
and adorned with excellent paintings ; but of all
the noble pieces this palace contained, none have
been much or fo defervedly admired, as the Car-
toons of the celebrated Raphael, which were
brought into England by King William, and are
not to be matched in Europe. It is faid, that
Louis XIV. offered 100,000 louis-d'ors for them,
but they are valued at 400,0001. Sterling. — The
reft of the royal palaces, though beautiful enough,
(efpecially that at Kenfmgton) merit no particu-
lar defcription ^ we ftiall therefore proceed to take
a view of fome of the fine feats of our nobility.
We have already obferved, that the Duke of
Devonfhire's feat at Chatfworth is reckoned one
of the Wonders of the Peak, and it very well
deferves the name, as it is the aftonifhment of
every fpectator. This magnificent pile of build-
ing is fituated on the eaft fide of the river Der-
went, which in calm weather glides gently
enough, but is very rapid, vvhen hafty rains or
melted fnows are poured into its channel from the
adjacent mountains. From the river (which has
a handfome ftone bridge over it) we approach the
weft front of the houfe by a venerable walk of
trees. The iron gates and balufters before the
court
NATURE AND ART.
Court are a noble piece of work, which are ter-
minated at the corners next the road by two large
ftone pedeftals, curioufly adorned with trophies of
war in Baffo Relievo*. The building is a fquare^
with a piazza of Doric columns, each of one
ftone, running round the infide. The bath-room
is all of marble, very curioufly wrought ; and the
cielings and walls of the apartments are adorned
with fine paintings by Vario, and other emi-
nent matters. Scarce any thing comes up to the
beauty of the chapel, the altar-end and floor be-
ing all marble, the feats of cedar, and the walls
and cieling painted by the befl: hands.
As to the gardens, they are full of canals, ba-
fons and water-works of various forms and contri-
vance ; amongfl: which is an artificial willow-tree
of copper, with water dropping from the leaves.
But the greatefl: curiofity of this kind is a wonder-
ful cafcade, which, ilfuing from a neat ftone-
building, falls down a hill a quarter of a mile in
length, over fteps like a pair of fl:airs, making fuch
a noife and fuch a broken appearance, as may
be eafier conceived than defcribed, till at laft it
finks under-ground and difappears. The green-
houfes, fummer-houfes, orangeries, &c. are very
beautiful, and the walks are embelliflied with fine
ftatues, urns, and other proper ornaments f.
Blenheim-
* The terra Relievo is applied to a figure which proje6ls ow
ftands out from the ground or plane whereon it is formed.
There are three kinds of Relievo, called Alto, Mezzo, and
Baffo : the firft is when the figure proje61s almoft as much as
the life ; the fecond when it i'eems cut in two, only one half
of it rifing from the plane ; and the laft when the work is
laifed but a little from its ground, as in medals, vafes, and the
frontifpieces of buildings, particularly the hiftories, felloons,
foliages, and other ornaments of frizes.
t It was a fine compliment which Marfhal Tallard paid to
<he lateDuke of Devonihire, who had entertained him for a
fev?
S6 The WONDERS of
Blenheim-House, at Woodftock in Oxford-
fhire, is a vaftand magnificent pile of building, de-
ligned to perpetuate the memory of the fignal vic-
tory, obtained by t^e allies over the French and Ba-
varians near the village of Blenheim on the banks
of the Danube*. This noble feat, together with
the manor of Woodftock, was fettled by the
Britifli parliament on the Duke of Marlborough
and his heirs, as a grateful acknowledgment for
his bravery and conduft on that occafion. The
hall is lofty, and finely painted by Sir James Thorn-
hill and others. Moft of the rooms are enriched
with marble chimney-pieces, tables, &c. but more
by the incomparable paintings, and efpecially the
hangings, reprefenting the Duke's glorious ac-
tions. Among the pictures are feveral large
pieces by Rubens, particularly that celebrated
one of himfelf, his wife and child. The Loves of
the Gods, by Titian, a prcfent from the king of
Sardinia, is a valuable piece ; and King Charles !•
on horfeback, by Vandyke, is very much admired*
few days at this beautiful feat 5 When I return (faid he)
into my own country, and reckon up the days of my cap-
tivity, I (hall leave out thofe I fpent at Chatfworth.
* It appeals from a raanufcript in the Cotton library, that
there was a royal houfe at Woodftock, fo long ago as the tim«
of King Alfred 5 and that King Henry I. was not the founder
of it (as he is generally faid to be) but only rebuilt it. As fof
Henry II. who kept his fair Rofamond here, he made fom*
additions to it, for the entertainment andTecurity of his beauti-
ful miftrefs : notwithftanding which, his jealous Queen, hav-
ing got accefs to her in the King's abfence, as tradition fays,
di^atched her by poifon. She was buried in a nunnery at
Godftow, with this jingling Latin epitaph, in which there il
^ lufus verborum not to be imitated in Engliih.
Hie jacet in tumba rofa mundi, non rofa munda j.
Non redolet, fed olet, quje redolerc folet.
Within this tomb lies the world's faireft rofe 5
Tho' once moft fweet, fhc'll now ofFead your nofe#
Thf
NATURE AND ART. 87
The gallery is exceeding beautiful, being lined
with marble pilafters, and the pillars are of one
piece, fupporting a rich and curious entablature^
Over a pediment in the front of the houfe facing
the gardens is a fine marble buft of Lewis XIV,
bigger than the life, taken from the gate of the
citadel of Tournay. The gardens are well laid
out, having fine walks, greens, efpaliers, &c. and
the viftos are terminated by fome remarkable ob-
jects in the neighbouring country. But of all
the curiofities about this (lately edifice, perhaps
none are more worthy of notice than the lofty
bridge in the Park, confifting of one arch above 190
feet wide ; and the vaft obelilk erected in the
principal avenue, whereon is infcribed an excel-
lent fummary of the Duke's adtions and charac-
ter, but too long: to be here inferted.
But of all the feats of theBritifli nobility, per-
haps none deferves our obfervation more than the
Karl of Pembroke's magnificent palace (for fo it
may juftly be called) at Wilton near Salifbury,
which was begun in the reign of Henry VIIL on
the ruins of a fupprefled Abbey, and in that of
Edward VL the great quadrangle was finiflied*
About fixty years ago the hall-fide was burnt
down, but was rebuilt in a fumptuous manner by the
late Earl, then Lord high Admiral of England ;
but the other parts, rebuilt by the firft Philip Earl
of Pembroke, were the defign of Inigo Jones, and
were finifhed in 1640. The garden-front in par-
ticular, which is 194 feet long, is reckoned one of
the beft pieces of that celebrated architedl* Jn
the middle of the platform, which is paved with
frce-ftone, there is a fine marble fountain. When
we enter the houfe, on one hand is the hall, in
vhic'i are a marble-fhufHe-board, and two large
mi rb e-tables ; and on the other hand are two
hajidf;jme parlgursj in the firft of which is a fine
pidui^
8? The WONDERS of
pl£lure of Chrift waftiing the feet of his apoftles,
and another reprefenting little fhepherds and coun-
try utenfils. Between this and the other parlour
is a portico fupported by two beautiful pillars of
black and fpotted porphyry. As to the grand apart-
ment, it is allowed to be one of the nobleft in Europe;
and its hall (which is twenty yards long, ten
high, and as many broad) is adorned with moft
admirable pidlures by Vandyke, particularly a
celebrated family-piece*, twenty feet long and
twelve high, the figures whereof are not only as
large as the life, but feem to be alive indeed f.
Hence we afcend the grand geometrical ftair-cafe,
the firft of the kind in EngUnd ; at the foot of
which we fee a Grecian ftatue of Bacchus, of
white marble, with a young Bacchus upon his
Ihoulder eating grapes, a piece of excellent fculp-
ture. The whole jftair-cafe, and fome of the rooms
at the top of it, are crowded with pictures done by
the beft Italian and Flemifli mafters : fo is alfo an-
other fine ftair-cafe, at the foot of which is a cu-
rious marble ftatue of Flora. The faloon, which
is ten yards fquare, is likewife adorned with fami-
ly-pieces, moft of them by Sir Peter Lely. In
both thefe rooms, as well as in many others, are
marble chimney-pieces of curious workmanfhip,
which the firft Earl of Pembroke brought over
from Italy. There are fome of white marble done
by Inigo Jones, than which nothing can be more
beautiful ; and in one of the garrets there is a
piece of black marble over the chimney, in which
* It is faid^ Sir Godfrey Kneller would have given three
thourind pounds for this piece, and that the late French King
offered ♦s many louis-d'ors for it as would cover it.
f There are the Earl of Pembroke (Lord chamberlain of
the houihold) and his hidy fitting, with their five Ibns ftand-
ing on the right, and the Earl of Carnarvon and his lady (their
daughter) on the left ; and before them ftands their cldeft Iba
and bis lady, a daughter of the duke of Buckingham.
Salifbury
NATURE AND ART. ]
?alifbury cathedral and its fpire may be fecn al-
moft as plain as in a looking-glafs. But thefc
things arc trifles, compared to the noble collcftion j
of antique buftoes that adorns this place, con-
fifting of the philofophcrs, poets, orators, &c. of |
ancient Greece and Rome ; and among the cu- ]
riofitics of this kind is a ftatue of the Egyptian ]
goddefs Ifis on a table of fine granite. In fhort, i
the houfe is filled with fuch a number of beauti- <
ful pieces, both of fculpture and painting, as !
would require a volume to defcribe ; not to men- !
tion the large heads and horns of ftags, the collec- ,|
tion of head-pieces, coats of mail, and other ar- \
niour for horfe and man which are curiofities ^
worth obfervation. — If we look into the gar- \
dens, which are exceeding beautiful, we fhall find \
enough to admire, but perhaps nothing more than ^
a magnificent bridge over a river that runs through J
them. Here is a grotto, the fr(>nt of which i > curi- ^
oufly carved, and within an black pillarsof the Ionic ;
order with white capitals, and four fine bas-reliefs i
brought from Italy. The banqueting-houfe on ;
the bowling-green is very beautiful, having an I
Ionic arcade, and at the top of it a row of antique
buftoes. — We are going too far; but we hope the
reader will excufe our having detained him fo long \
at this majeftic and delightful feat, which cannot i
be too much admired. I
^ We fhall now give a (hort defcription of the i
Earl of Burlington's beautiful feat at Chifwick, [
* The nioft remarkable fuits of armour in this collc(5lion
are thofe of King Henry VIII, Edward VI, and a rich fuit ]
of an Earl of Pembroke named Black Jack, which he wore I
when he bcfieged and took Bologne in France, where he com- j
manded in chief under the King. There are fome other fuits, ]
which by the work fcem to have belonged to perfons of dif-
tinaion j but the reft, abgut a hundred, are only for common i
horfemen.
which i
$a The WONDERS of
which for elegance of tafte is faid to furpafs arrf
thing of its kind in England, if not in Europe.
In the front of the houfe is a neat gravelled court,
with yew-hedges on each fide ; and at a little
diftance from the houfe are two rows of cedars,
whofe dark and folemn (hade occafions an agree-
able contraft with the white ftrucSlure that appears
between them. We afcend to the houfe by a no-
ble flight of fteps, on one fide of which is the
ftatue of Inigo Jones, and on the other that of
Palladio, two celebrated architefts. The fluted
pillars that fupport the portico are of the Corin-
tian order; and the cornice, frize, and architrave
are as rich as poflSlble : fo that this front of the
houfe gives at once furprife and pleafure to every
fpe£lator. The other fronts, though plainer, have
a noble boldnefs which cannot fail of plcafing,
efpecially that towards the gardens. As to the
infide of the houfe, it would take up too much
time to defcribe its particular beauties, every
thing being perfe£lly well finifhed, the cielings
finely gilt and painted, and the rooms filled wirhl
curious pictures, done by fome of the beft hands
in Europe.
The fame elegant tafle appears in the gardens.
Defcending from the houfe we enter on a lawn of
grafs, planted with ever-greens, and adorned with
two rows of large flone vafes. At the end next
tlie houfe are two ftone wolves, and at the farther
end two large lions, which are very. good pieces
of fculpture. Three antique flatues, dug up at
Rome, with ftone feats between them, and a
clofe plantation of ever-greens behind them, ter-
minate this profpeft. — On the right-hand, as we
go from the houfe, we look through an open
grove of trees to the orangery 5 and on the left,
we have an eafy flope to a ferpentine river, on
each
NATURX AND ART. 91
•ach fide of which are clumps of ever-greens,
and at the farther end is an enclofure, wherein
we fee an obelifk and a Roman temple. On one
fide of the river is a Wildernefs, and on the
other a handfome building, which is an exa£l
model of the portico of Covent-garden church.
With the earth and gravel thrown up, when thig
river was dug, they have raifed a fine terrace, from
whence we have a view of the adjacent country,
and of the boats and barges upon the Thames,
which greatly enlivens the profpeft. — We fliall
fay nothing of the cafcade, the engine by which
the water is raifed not having anfwered the de-
fign fo well as was expedled.
Now we are fpeaking of the feats of our nobi-
lity, we cannot forbear mentioning a few of the
many curiofities to be feen in Lord Temple's
beautiful gardens at Stow in Buckiiighamfhire.—
The entrance on the fouth-fide of the gardens is
between two fquare pavilions of the Doric order,
defigned by Sir John Vanbrugh, where imme-
diately a furprifing variety of objects prefent them-
felves to view. In the middle of a large o6togon
of water ftands an obelifk near feventy feet ia
height ; and at a diftance we fee two rivers, which
join their ftreams, and fall into this fpacious re-
ceptacle. On the right hand a Gothic building,
dedicated to Liberty, crowns the fummit of a hill,
and on the left appears a pyramid, fixty feet high,
dedicated to the memory of the above- mentioned
architedl. Having pafled by three fine ftatues,
we come to the cold bath, from whence we be-
hold a natural cafcade, or rather three, falling
from the oftogon into a large lake ^ by the fide
of which, in a rifing wood, flands the Hermitage ;
and not far from thence the ftatues of Cain and
Abel, fronting a neat ftrudture, called the Veneris
Hortus^
92 The WONDERS of
Hortus, or Garden of Venus. From the Belvi-
dere a building defigned by Mr. Gibbs, which is
fituated on the top of a mount, there is a noble
profpeft : nor ftiould we forget the Temple of
Friendfliip, from whence the pavilions at the en^
trance, the cafcade, the lake and other obje£l:s,
afford all together a delightful fcene. This tem-
ple is a lofty fquare building of the Doric order,
with three fine porticoes on the fides that appear
to the garden. The cieling is adorned with hif-
torical pieces, and at the bottom of the room are
ten pedeftals, on which are placed the bufts of
Lord Cobham and his fele6l friends. The Tem-
ple of Ancient Virtue is a rotunda * of the Doric
order, by Mr. Kent ; in which are four niches
filled with the ftatues of Epaminondas, Lycur-
gus, Socrates, and Homer, with proper infcrip-
tions over each. The Saxon temple is in a folemn
grove, where the feven Saxon deities prefiding
over the feveral days of the week, are placed in
niches round an altar j forming a fcene that
ftrikes the mind with an agreeable compofure.
Bacchus's temple is a brick building, with paint-
ings in the infide, fuitable to the charafter of that
heathen deity. St. Auguftine's cave is made up
of roots of trees and mofs, with a ftraw couch in
it, and ftands in the middle of a natural wood ;
which fituation, with the oddnefs of the ftrufture,
makes an entertaining variety. Dido's cave ftands
alfo in a wood, but is a ftone building. The
Pebble Alcove is a pretty recefs, where his Lord-
fhip's arms are curioufly done in pebbles, and dif-
* This is a popular term in architefture for any building
that is round within and without, whether it be a church, a
faloon, or the like. The moft celebrated Rotunda of antiqui-
ty is the Pantheon at Rome, dedicated to Cybele and all the
Gods by Agrippa j but fince confecrated by Pope Boniface
IV. t9 the Virgin Ivlary and all the faints,
played
NATURE AN0 ART,
played in proper colours : fo likewife is the Sleep-
ing Parlour, which is a fquare building in a wood,
where fix walks center ; and within it are paint-
ed the heads of the Caefars, with feftoons of fruit
and other ornaments. The Grotto is a curious
piece of workmanftiip ; and fo is the Shell-Pavi-
lion, which is fupported by fix wreathed columns.
The Chinefe houfe built in a pond, is a curiofity
worth obferving ; being ingenioufly painted on
the outfide in the Chinefe tafte, and the infide is
Indian japan.
When the fpe£tator has viewed all thefe beau-
ties, and many more than we can here enumerate
or defcribe, let him be conducted into the Elyfian
Fields, and he will be charmed beyond imagina-
tion with the monuments of the Britifti worthies *
that adorn the delightful place. But inftead of
difgracing thefe fine gardens any longer with an
unequal defcription, 1 fliall conclude with obfer-
ving, (as a late writer has done) that the late
Lord Cobham, who laid them out, has here em-
* Thefe are King Alfred, Edward Prince of Wales, Q.
"Elizabeth, King William the Third, Sir Walter Raleigh,
Sir Francis Bacon, Sir Thomas Grefham, Sir Francis Drake,
Sir Ifaac Newton, Sir John Barnard, Inigo Jones, Pope, Shake-
fpear, Milton, and fome others.— .What Ibrt of perfons Lord
Cobham thought worthy of a place in this Elyfmm, is well
cxprefled in the following lines of Virgil, which we read ther«
iipon a fquare of black marble, placed under a Mercury
/landing in the niche of a pyramid :
Hie manus ob patriam pugnando vulnera pafli,
Quique pii vates & Phocbo digna locuti,
Inventas aut qui vitam excoluere per artes,
Quique fui memores alios fecere merendo.
Here are the Bands who for their country bled,
And Bards whofe pure and facred verfe is read ;
Thofe who, by Arts invented. Life improv'd.
And by their Merits made their MemVies lov'd.
belliihed
^4 The WONDERS OF ;
belllfhed nature with art, and fupported art hj |
confulting nature, in as elegant a tafte, as perhaps i
was ever ftiewn in any modern or even antient |
performance of this kind. We here find a moft
agreeable variety of fhady woods and open lawns ; I
fome profpedls terminated by a well-chofen point |
of view, others bounded by the horizon alone ; j
walks which of themfelves create delight, but al- |
ways end with fomething that increales the plea- ;
fure and raifes the admiration. The pavilions,
pyramids, obelifks, temples, ftatues, buftoes, ]
monuments, infcriptions, are all nobly finifhed, <
and are defigned to inftruft as well as to pleafc ,
the beholder. In a word, nothing is here wan- ;
ting which air, earth, and water, in the hands \
of men, can contribute to compleat a terreftrial !
paradife. !
Perhaps the reader will not be difpleafed,
if in this place we fliould juft mention a few |
things moft worthy of obfervation in our two fa- j
mous Univerfities of Oxford and Cambridge y for .
a particular defcription of them would far exceed ]
the intended limits of our undertaking. Befidee )
the colleges and halls in Oxford, feveral of which j
are large and beautiful ftruftures, there are fomc |
other publick buildings that make a glorious ap- ]
pearance. The firft is the Theatre, a magnifi- ]
cent fabric, raifed at the expence of Dr. Sheldon, |
archbiftiop of Canterbury, under the diredlion of ?
Sir Chriftopher Wren, and prefented to the Uni- j
verfity by the generous founder for the perfor- ^
mance of fcholaftic exercifes. The walls round /
the area, within which it ftands, are adorned \
with feveral Grecian and Roman antiquities, the \
greateft part whereof is owing to the bounty of \
the earl of Arundel. The decorations in the ;
froiit of the building are very curious and beauti- ;
fuU ]
NATURE AN» ART. 95
ful ; but the roof, which is fupported without
beams, and finely painted, can never be faffici*
cntly admired.
At the weft end of the Theatre ftands the
Mufeum *, a ftately pile, ere£led at the charge
of the Univerfity, for the promoting and carrying
on feveral parts of curious and ufcful learning.
The lower part of this edifice is a Laboratory,
furnifhed with all forts of furnaces and other ma-
terials for chymical operations. Above this is a
fpacious hall ; and the upper chamber is a repofi-
rory of a noble colleftion of natural and artificial
curiofities, moft of them prefented to the Uni-
verfity by Elias Aftimole, Efq; in 1683, when
the building was finiflied, which for that reafon
is called Mufeum Afhmoleanum. Very confide-
rable additions have been made to it fince that
time; as of hieroglyphicks, and other Egyptian
antiquities, by Dr. Huntington ; an entire mum-
my, by Mr. Goodyear ; a large cabinet of natu-
ral rarities, and Roman antiquities, by Dr. Lifi:er ;
a collecSlion of medals by Dr. George Clarke, and
many valuable curiofities by other benefadlors.
The Bodleian library is one of the greateft
ornaments of this Univerfity, there being few in
Europe that exceed it in any refpe£l, and none
that can boaft of fuch a treafure of oriental manu-
* This name was originally ufed to fignify a place in th#
palace of Alexandria, which took up at leaft a fourth part
of the city ; fo called, as being dcftined and fet apart to the
Mufes and the Sciences. Here were lodged and entertained
a great number of learned men, who were divided into com-
panies or colleges, to each of which was allotted a handfomc
revenue. This eftablifhnient is attributed to Ptolemy Phila-
delphus, who here fixed his library. Mufeum is now be-
come a general denomination, being applied to any place fet
apart as a Repofitory of things that have fome immediate
liJation to the Arts or the Mufes.
fcript^.
^6 The WONDERS of
fcripts. The defign of this publick library waft
firft laid by Sir Thomas Bodley, in the year 1597,
who repaired the old library of Humphry duke of
Gloucefter, and furniftied it with a large collec-
tion of printed books and manufcripts, which he
had purchafed at a prodigious expence from all
parts of the world. It was firft opened in i6o2>
lince which time it has been continually increaf-
ing by the benefaftions of great and learned men ;
particularly Sir Rob. Cotton, Sir H. Savil, Arch-
bilhop Laud, Sir Kenelm Digby, Mr. Allen, Dr.
Pocock, Mr. Selden, Bifhop Tanner, and others.
Over it is a fpacious gallery, adorned with pic-
tures of the feveral benefadlors, &c. and with the
famous marbles * prefented to the Univerfity by
the earl of Arundel. Sir T. Roe and others have
alfo enriched this place with a large collection of
Greek, Roman, Britifti, Saxon, and other coins.
Over the porch, upon a pedeftal of black marble,
Hands a fine ftatue of the earl of Pembroke, to
whofe Generofity this library is much indebted.
For a Repofitory of the fame kind (I mean for
a Publick Library) there has been lately erefted
* On thefe marbles are engraved, in capital letters, in-
fcriptions that contain the moft noted Greek Epochas from
the reign of Cecrops, the founder of tlie Athenian monarchy,
to Diogenes the magiftratej that is, for the fpace of 131S
years. Hence we learn the time when the moft famous cities
of Greece were founded, when the greateft men lived that
were the ornaments of that country, and other particulars^
which give great light to the hiftory of thofe ages. Arch-
bifhop Ufher is of opinion, this Chronicle was written 265
years before our Saviour. They were found in the ifland of
Paros in the Archipelago, and purchafed by Thomas Earl of
Arundel, whofe grandfon Henry prefented them to the Uni-
verfity of Oxford ; whence they are ufually called Marmora
Arundeliana, or the Arundel Mnrbles.— An account of all
thefe infcriptions was publiftied in 1676 by Dr. Prideaux,
and fmce by Mr, Michael Maittaire, with a great number of
annotations*
at
NATURE AND ART. 97
at Oxford a lofty and magnificent flone building,
purfuant to the will of the celebrated Dr. Rat-
cliffe, who left 4O5OO0L for that purpofe, 100 1.
a year for ever to furnifti it with books, and the
fame annual fum to keep it in repair. This no-
ble benefaftion, which does honour to the Doc-
tor's memory, will add to the renown of the
niverfity, and in a courfe of years it may probably
be fo improved, as to vie with the fineft library
in Europe.
Nor fhould we forget the Clarendon Printing-
houfe, none of the leaft ornaments of this feat of
learning, nor perhaps to be equalled by any thing
of the kind. It is a handfome ftrong building,
115 feet in length, befides the fpacious porticoes
in the north and fouth fronts, which are fup-
ported by detached columns of the Doric order.
The top of it is adorned with the Nine Mufes ;
and amongft them are Homer, Virgil, and Thu-
cydides. It was founded in 1711, and being built
partly with the money arifing to the Univerfity
from the copy of Lord Clarendon's Hiftory, it
thence received its name.
Thus much for the Univerfity of Oxford ,
which in point of fituation, good air, the num-
per of colleges, and the magnificence of the build-
ings in general, has the advantage of Cambridge ;
though the latter may boaft of particular ftruc-
tures, equal at leaft, if not fuperior, to any in the
former. Trinity College (for inftance) is a large,
regular, and ftately pile of building, which in
Mr. Camden's time, as he himfelf affirms, was
fcarce inferior to any in Chriftendom : and as it
has fince received the addition of a noble and
beautiful library, which many learned men have
with emulation contributed to enrich, it may
Vol. I. F juftly
98 The WONDERS of
juftly be placed in the firft rank of Colleges, and
even above feme foreign Univerfities.
King's College, though it was never com-
pleated according to the magnificent model firft
laid down, is neverthelefs a very handfome ftruc-
ture ; but its chapel, whether we confider the roof,
the carvings, or the ftain'd glafs in the windows,
exceeds any thing of its kind, and upon the whole
is defervedly admired as one of the fineft pieces of
archite£ture in the world, though it had the dif-
advantage of being carried on with great interrup-
tions.
St. John's College is a beautiful building,
has an excellent library, and enjoys a pleafant fi-
tuation. And to conclude, (iince we have not
room to be more particular) Clare-Hall, which
about eighty years ago was all rebuilt with free-ftone,
is at prefent one of the neateft and moft uniform
llruftures in the whole Univerfity.
We fliall now defcribe the Duke of Bridge-
water's magnificent work, near Manchefter, which
is, perhaps, the greateft artificial curiofity of its
kind in the world. This is a new fubterraneaa
Canal conftrucled to convey coals out of a mine,
to Manchefter and other places, and capable of
being applied to many other confiderable purpofcs.
It begins at a place called Worfly Mill, about
feven miles from Manchefter, where, at the foot
of a large mountain is a bafon, that forms a great
body of water, which ferves as a refervoir or head
to this navigation ; and in order to draw the coals
out of the mine, which runs through the hill to
an amazing extent, a fubttrraneous paflage is
formed, big enough for long flat-bottomed boats to
go up to the mines. This paffage alfo ferves to
drain the coal pits of that water, which woul4
ptl>er-
NATURE AND ART. 99
otherwife . obftrufi: the work, and is to be carried
on three miles under ground, and farther, if it
be neceirary.
Having obtained a ticket to fee this curio-
fity, which is done by fending your name to the
Duke's houfe at about half a mile diftance, you
enter with lighted candles the fubterraneous
paffage in a boat made for bringing out the coals.
This boat is fifty feet long, four and a half broad,
two feet three inches deep, and each end termi-
nates in a point. Through this palTage you pro-
ceed, towing the boat on each hand, by a rail,
to the extent of a thoufand yards, which is near
three quarters of a mile, before you come to the
coal works. The pafTage then divides, one
branch continuing in a flraight line three hundred
yards farther, among the coal works, while ano-
ther turns off, and proceeds three hundred yards
to the left ; and each of them may be extended
farther, or other pafTages be opened from them,
to any other part, as the mines may run, and
neceflity require. Hence thofe who go up both
pafTages, travel near three miles under ground,
before they return. The pafTages in thofe parts,
where there were coals or loofe earth, are arched
over with brick, and in others the arches cut
out of the rock. At certain diflances, there aie
niches on the Tide of the arch, with funnels or
openings through the rock, to the top of the hill
(which is in fome places, near thirty feven yards
perpendicular, in order to preferve a free circula-
tion of frefh air, as well as to prevent thofe
damps and exhalations that are fometimes fo def-
trudtive in works of this kind, and to let down
men to work, in cafe any accident ftiould hap-
pen to the pafTage. BeTides, near the entrance of
the palTage, and again farther on, there are gates
F 2 te
100
The wonders of
to clofe up the arch, and prevent the admiflion
of two much air, in windy and tempeftuous
weather.
The arch is at the entrance about fix feet
wide, and about five feet high, from the furfacc
of the water ; but on entering!; farther in, it
grows wider ; fo that in fome places, boats that
are going to and fro, can eafily pafs each other ;
and when you come among the pits, the arch is
ten feet wide.
Coals are brought from the pits to this paf-
fage or canal, in little low waggons, that hold
near a ton each ; and as the work is on the def-
cent, are eafily puflied forward by a man, on a
railed way, to a ftage over the canal, and then
Ihot into one of the boats already mentioned, each
of which holds about eight tons. One of thefe
boats thus loaded, is conveyed through the paf-
fage by means of the rails, by a fingleman, to the
bafon at its mouth, where four, five, or fix of
thefe boats, being linked together, are drawn by
one horfe, or two mules, by the fide of the canal,
to Manchefter, or the other places, to which the
canal is conveyed.
There are alfo on the canal a confiderablc
number of broad boats that hold about fifty tons,
which are likewife drawn by one horfe ; befides
about fifty of the narrow ones.
It is neceflary to take fome notice of an over-
fhot mill, near the mouth of the palTage, which
is fo well contrived as to work, by the force of
the current, three pair of grinding ftones for corn,
a dreffing or bolting-mill, and a machine for fift-
ing fand, and compounding mortar for the build-
ings. The mortar is made by a large ftone,
which is lain horizontally, and turned by a cog-
wheel underneath it, and this ftone, on which the
mortar
NAT U RE AND ART. rot
m-nrtar is laid, turns in its courfe two other ftones
that are placed upon it obliquely, and by their
weight and friftion work the mortar underneath,
which is tempered and taken off by a man em-
ployed for that purpofe. The bolting-mill is alfo
worthy notice. It is made of wire, of different de-
grees of finenefs, and at one and the fame time
difcharges the fineft flour, the middling fort, and
the coarfe flour, as well as the pollard and the
bran ; without turning round, the work being ef-
fected by bruflies of hogs briftles within the wire.
From the bafon, of which we have been fpeak-
ing, the canal takes its courfe to Mancheller,
which is nine miles by water, though but feven
by land, the other two miles being lofl in feeking
a level for the water. The canal is broad enough
for the barges to pafs or go a-breaft ; and on one
fide of it there is a good road made, for the paf-
fage of the people concerned in the work, and
for the horfes and mules that draw the boats and
barges. To perfect this canal, without impeding
the public roads, or injuring the people in the
country, the Duke has, in many places, built
bridges over it, and, where the earth was raifed
to preferve the level, arches under it ; all of which
are built chiefly of ftone, and are both elegant and
durable : but what principally ilrikes the common
obferver, is a work raifed near Barton Bridge, to
convey the canal over the Merfey, a large navi-
gable river, that runs from Manchefler to Liver-
pool. This is done by means of three flone arches,
fo fpacious and lofty, as to admit a velTel failing
through them ; and it is indeed a moft noble fight
to fee large velfels in full fail under this aquedudl,
with the Duke's vefTels failing at the fame time
over all, and near fifty Yeet above the navigable
river. At convenient diftances there are, by the
F 3 fide^
i<^2. The wonders of
fides of the canal, receptacles for the fuperfluous
water ; and at the bottom of the canal, machines
conftrudled on very fimple principles, and placed
at proper diftances, to flop and preferve the wa-
ter, in cafe any part of the bank fhould happen
to break down. The aqueduct is perfected as far
as Mnnchefter, where coals are brought from the
mine in great plenty, and another large bafon is
making there, for the reception of the veflels em-
ployed in this work.
Besides this, there is another canal, which
takes its rife from that we have defcribed near
Barton Bridge, and goes to Stratford ; from whence
it will probably be extended on the Cheftiire fide
of the river Merfey, as far as Liverpool ; and
when this is compleated, people may travel with
as much fafety, certainty, and difpatch, as in
the trachtfcoots in Holland and Flanders, and in
the fame manner 3 for, as here is no current to
impede the vefTel, one horfe will draw 50 ton of
coals after the rate of four miles an hour ; and
would trot with a light boat and pafTengers fix or
feven ; and if the boats were covered, v/e might
travel by night or by day, and fleep, read, write,
play at cards, drink tea, and partake of a thou-
iand diverfions.
All who fee the work wonder how. it could be
effe&ed ; and thofe who confider the contrivance
of the workmen, are ftill more amazed at the
ceconomy with which it is carried on. Mr.
Brindley, the principal engineer, is one of thofe
great genluffes which nature fometimcs rears by
her own force, and brings to maturity, without the
neceffity of cultivation. His whole plan is ad-
mirable, and fo well concerted, that he is never at a
lofs, for if any difficulty ^rifes, he removes it with
amazing facility. Befides the machines already
mentioned^
NATURE A^^D ART. 103
mentioned, as well as others which we have pafled
over for want of room, he has contrived fome
caifTons of an admirable conftru£lion5 for raifing
of earth, to preferve the level ; and as thefe, as
well as a fmith's forge and carpenter's and ma-
fon's work-ftiops, are floated on the canal, and
follow the work from place to place, there is little
hindrance from accidents. It is alfo here to be
obferved, that the refufe of one work, is made to
conflrucl the material parts of another : thus the
ftone which was dug up to form a bafon for the
boats, at the foot of the mountain, as well as that
taken out of the rock, to make the fubterraneous
paffage, are hewn into different forms and dimen-
iions, to build bridges over the water, or arches to
fupport the aquedu6t, while the clay and other
earth taken up to preferve the level in one place,
are carried down the canal, to raife the land to a
level, in another. In ftiort, grandeur, elegance,
and ceconomy, are here happily united. At firft
view you would think the work was intended to
aftonifh; but upon a clofer infpe£lion you find
nothing but what is proper and neceffary ; and
that the whole has been done at an expence, no
ways adequate to the undertaking.
To return to the city of London, where there
are many ftru(£lures of a different kind from any
yet defcribed.
Of all the fortreffes in this kingdom the moft
remarkable is the Tower of London, not on ac-
count of its ttrength, and the works defigned to
render it impregnable, for in thefe it is greatly
excelled by feveral others ; but from its containing
the antient records, the mint, a noble magazine
of arms, and the crown jewels. It is fituated on
the eaft fide of the city near the bank of the
Thames, and was anciently a royal palace, but
F 4 origi-
104 The WONDERS of
originally confifted of no more than what is now
called the White-Tower, a part of which was
firft ere£ted by William the Conqueror, in the
year 1076, and compleated by his fon William
Rufus, who in 1098, encompafled it with walls
and a deep ditch, which is in fome places a hun-
dred and twenty feet broad. Additions were af-
terwards made to it by feveral of the fucceeding
princes, and king Edward the Third built the
church. In 1638 the White-Tov/er was rebuilt,
and fince the rertoration of King Charles the Se-
cond, it has been thoroughly repaired, and a
great number of buildings added to it. Hence,
btiides the White-Tower, here are the offices of
ordnance, of the mint, of the keepers of the re-
cords, the jewel office, the Spanilh armoury, the
horfe armoury, the new or horfe armoury, bar-
racks for the foldiers, handfome houfes for the
chief officers refiding in the Tower, and other per-
fons ; fo that it has at prefent more the appear-
" ance of a town than of a fortrefs. New barracks^
have been lately erected on the 1 ower wharf,
which parts it from the river, and upon the v/harf
is a line of about fixty pieces of cannon, which
are fired upon ftate holidays. On this fide of the
Tower the ditch is narrow, and over it is a draw-
bridge : under the Tower-wall, on the fame fide,
is a water-gate, commonly called Traitor*s-gate,
becaufe it has been cuftomary to convey tra.itors
and other ftate-prifoners through it by water, to
and from the Tower.
Upon the vi^all, parallel to the wharf, is a
platform feventy yards in length, called the La-
dies-line, from its being frequented in fummer
evenings by ladies, who walk under the ftiade of
a row of lofty trees, and have a fine profpect of
rhc fhipping and the river Thames. From this:
NATURE AND ART. 105
line there is a walk round the Tower- walls, on
which are three batteries, diftinguifhed by the
names of the Devil's-battery) the Slone-battery,
and the Wooden- battery, each of which is mount-
ed with feveral pieces of large brafs cannon.
The principal entrance to the Tower is on the
weft fide, where there are two gates, one withia
the other, both large enough to admit heavy car-
riages, and parted by a ftrong ftone bridge built
over the ditch.
Within the outer gate Is a fine colle6lion of
wild hearts, confifting of lions, leopards, tygers,
and other animals ; together with feveral birds,
among which are the golden eagle, the horned
owl, and many others, all which are regularly
fed, and attended with all poffible care.
The mint comprehends near one third of what
is called the Tower, and contains the office of the
mint, and the houfes of all the officers belonging
to the coinage.
The White Tower is a large fquare ftone
building, with a v^atch-tower at each corner.
It confifts of three very lofty ftories, in the firftof
which is an armoury for the fea-fervice, contain-
ing various forts of arms curioufly laid up for above
ten thoufand feamen. The upper ftories are filled
with arms, and other warlike inftruments and
utenfils, as cheveaux de frize, pick-axes, fpadea
and ftiovels.
At a fmall diftance from the fouth-weft angle
of the White-Tower, is the Spanifh armoury,
the depofitory of the fpoils of the Spanifh Armada,
fitted out to invade England in the reign of queen
Elizabeth. Among the trophies preferved hereof
this memorable vidory, are the following: the
Spanifh general's halbert, which is covered with
velvet, and has on the top the pope's head curi-
F 5 oully
ic6 The V/ O N D E R S of
oufly engraven ; alfo his fhield, upon which are
reprefented the labours of Hercules, in moft curi-
ous workmanfhip. A Spanifh batde-ax, with a
piftol in the handle. An engine, called, from its
figure, the Spanifh Morning-ftar, of which there
were many thoufands on board, all with poifoned
points, intended to ftrike at the Englifh, in cafe
they ventured to board the Spanifh fleet. Thumb-
fcrews, of which there were feveral chefts full on
board. Spanifh halberts, or fpears, fome of which
are curioufly engraved, and inlaid with gold.
Spanifh fpades, or long fwords, poifoned at the
points. The banner, which was to have been
carried before the Spanifh general. A piflol in a
fhield, fo contrived, as that the piftol might be
fired, and the body covered by the fhield at the
fame time, the fight of the enemy being taken
through a fmall grate, piftol-proof. Several in-
itruments of torture, &c.
Besides thefe, and feveral other things taken
from the Spaniards, there are a number of other
curiofities, as the Saxon and Danifh clubs, which
they are faid to have ufed in their conqueft of
Lngland. What is called king Henry Vlllth's
Vv-alking-ftafF, which has three m-atchlock pillols
in it, and coverings to keep the charges dry; it
is faid, that v/ith this the king fometimes walked
round the city, to fee that the conftablesdid their
duty. A large wooden cannon, called Policy,
becaufe when king Henry VIII. befieged Bul-
loign, the roads being impaflable for heavy can-
non, he is faid to have caufed a number of thefe
wooden ones to be mounted on proper batteries
before the town, which fo terrified the French
commandant, that he gave up the place without
fixing a gun. The ax, with which queen Anne
BuUen, and the earl of EfTex, the favourite of
queen
NATURE AND ART. 107
queen Elizabeth, were beheaded. A fmall train
of ten pieces of pretty little cannon, neatly
mounted on proper carriages, a prefent from the
foundery of London to king Charles I. when
a child, to affift him in learning the art of gun-
nery. The perfea model of the admirable ma-
chine, the idea of which was brought from Italy
by Sir Thomas Lombe, and firft ereded at Derby
at his own expence, for making orgazine or
thrown fiik ; with many other curiofities.
On the northward of the White-Tower is the
grand ftorehoufe, a noble building, that extends
245 feet in length, and 60 in breadth. It was
begun by kine James II. and finifhed by king
William III. who eredled that magnificent room
called the New or Small Armoury, to which there
is a paffage by a folding door adjoining to the eaft
end of the Tower Chape], which leads to a grand
ftair-cafe; cn afcending which, you enter the ar-
moury, and fee what is called a Wildernefs of
Arms, fo artfully difpofed, that at one view you
behold arms for near eighty thoufand men, all
bright, and fit for fervice at a moment's warning;
a fight, which it is impoffible to behold without
aftonifhment. The north and fouth walls are
each adorned with eight pilafters, formed of pikes
ftxteen feet long, with capitals of the Corinthian
order, compofed of piftols. At the well end, as
you enter, are two curious pyramids of piftols
ftanding upon crowns, fceptres and globes, finely
carved, and placed on pedeftals five feet high.
At the farther end are two fuits of armour, one
made for the warlike prince, Henry V. and the
other for his fon, Henry VI. over each of which
is a femicircle of piftols. Between thefe is rcpre-
fented an organ, the large pipes compofed of
brafs blunderbufles, and the fmail of piftols. On
F 6 cue
ic8 The WONDERS of
one fide of the organ is the reprefentatlon of a
fiery ferpent, the head and tail of carved work,
and the body of piftois, winding round in the form
of 51 fnake ; and on the other lide an hydra, whofe
feven heads are artfully combined by links of
piftols. The inner columns and walls that com-
pofe the wildernefs, are all formed of arms, bay-
onets and piftols, put up in the refemblance of
half-moons and fans. The waves of the fea arc
reprefenttd in old-fafliioned bayonets. The rifmg
fun is feen irradiated with piftols, fet in a chequered
frame of marine hangers of a peculiar make.
There are four beautiful twifted pillars, formed of
piftols up to the top, which is about twenty feet
high, and placed at right angles, in the centre of
which is formed on the ceiling the reprefentatiou
of a falling ftar; you alfo fee a large pair of
folding gates, made of ferjeants halberts of an
antique make, and horfemen's carbines hanging
in furbelows and flounces ; Meduca's head, within
three, irregular ellipfis of piftols with fnakes. Op-
pofitc the eaft wall is a grand figure of a lofty or-
gan, ten ranges high, in which are contained
above two thoufand pair of piftols. On the fouth
fide is the figure of Jupiter riding in a fiery cha-
riot, drav/n by eagles, as if in the clouds, holding'
a. thunderbolt in his left hand, and over his head
is a rainbow : this figure is finely carved, and de-
corated with bayonets. The figures on this fide
anfv/er pretty nearly to thofe on the other, till you
come again to the centre, wiiere, on each fide a
door leading to a balcony, you fee a fine repre-
fentatlon, in carved work, of the ftar and garter,
thiftle, rofe, and crown, ornamented with pi-*
llols, &c.
Upon the ground-floor, under this magnificent
armoury, is a ropm of the fame dimenfions, fup-^
ported
NATURE AND ART. 109 ]
ported by twenty columns, hung round with im- \
pleinents of war. This room, which is twenty-
four feet high, is full of the moft dreadful engines |
of deftruclion, arnong which are feverai of ait ;
ancient date and curious form. :
To the eaftward of the White-Tower is the
hbrfe-^irmoury, in which is a reprefentai' ^n of the
kings and heroes of this nation, fome of them fit- ^!
ting on horfeback, in the fame bright and fliining j
armour they were ufed to wear when they per- i
formed thofe glorious adlions, that give them a I
d ill ingui filed place in the hiftory of Great Britain. \
Here, afcending the ftair-cafe, and cafting your
eye into the room, you fee the figure of a grena- -\
dier in his accoutrements, with his piece refting ^
Upon his arm, as if upon duty, fo w^ell executed, ]
that it may be miftaken for real life. Within the ^
room, on the left hand, are figures, as big as the I
life, of horfe and foot, fuppofed to be drawn up t
in military order, to attend a line of kings on the i
other fide of the room, who are fhewn in the fol- I
lowing order. King George I. in a complete ;
fuit of armour, holding his truncheon in his hand,, i
and feated on a white horfe richly caparifoned,; )
having a fine Turkey bridle gilt, with velvet fur- ?
niture laced with gold. King William III. in 1
the armour worn by Edward the Black Prince at i
the battle of CrefFy, mounted on a forrel horfe, ]
whofe furniture is green velvet, embroidered with. j
filver, holding a flaming fword in his right hand. ;
King Charles 11, in armour, with a truncheon in i
his hand, feated on a fine horfe richly caparifoned. ■
King Charles I. in a rich fuit of gilt armour, j
curioufly wrought, prefented him by the city of |
London when he was prince of Wales. James L \
on horfeback, in a complete fuit of figured armour. |
King Edward VI. on horfeback, in a curious fuit ]
of I
no The WONDERS of
of fteel armour, on which are depi6led, in diffe-
rent compartments, a variety of fcripture hiftories.
King Henry VIII. in his own armour of poliftied
fteel gilt, holding a fword in his right hand.
King Henry VII. who likewife holds a fword, and
is feated on horfeback in a complete fuit of ar-
mour, finely wrought, and wafhed v/ith filver.
King Edward V. who with his brother Richard,
was fmothered in the Tower. He is drefled in a
rich fuit of armour, holds a lance in his right
hand, and a crown is hung over his head. King
Edward IV. in a bright fuit of ftudded armour,
holding a drawn fword. King Flenry VL King
Henry V. and king Henry IV . King Edward III.
who has a venerable beard, and is dreffcd in a fuit
of plain bright armour, with tvvo crowns on his
fword, in allufion to his having been crowned
king both of England and France. King Ed-
ward I. in a curious fuit of gilt armour, and in
Ihoes of male, with a battle-ax in his hand. Wil-
liam the Conqueror, in a fuit of plain armour,
who is the firft in the line, though laft fbewn.
Among the other curiofities in this room, are
the following. A complete fuit of tilting armour,
fuch as the kings, nobility, and gentlemen at
arms, ufed to wear, with the tilting-lance, the
reft for the lance and grand guard. A complete
fuit of armour made for king Henry VIII. when
but eighteen years of age, rough from the ham-
mer : it is at leaft fix feet high, and the joints in
the hands, arms and thighs, knees and feet, play
like the joints of a ratcle-fnake, and are moved
with all the facility imaginable. A fmall fuit of
armour made for king Charles II. when prince of
Wales, and about feven or eight years of age,
with a piece of armour for his horfe's head ; the
whole moft curioufly wrought, and inlaid with
filver,
NATURE AND ART. 1 1 1 |
filver. The armour of lord Courcy, who having j
vanquiflied a French champion, had the privilege )
granted him and his fuccefibrs of wearing their j
hats in the king's prefence. Real coats of male, j
called Brigandine Jackets, confifting of fmall bits I
of fteel, fo artfully quilted one over another, as !
to refifi the point of a fword, and perhaps a muf- i
ket-ball ; and yet fo flexible, that the wearer may
bend his body any way, as well as in an ordinary
fuit of clothes. An Indian fuit of armour, lent I
by the Great Mogul as a prefent to K. Charles IL j
This is reckoned as a great curiofity, being made j
of iron quills, each about two inches long, finely I
japanned and ranged in rows, one row eafily flip-
ping over another : thefe are bound very ftrong ;^
together with filk twift, and are ufed in that coun- '|
try as a defence againfl: darts and arrows, A neat '
little fuit of armour, worn by a carved figure, re-
pre(enting Richard duke of York, the youngeft I
ton of king Edward IV. who, with his brother i
Edward V. was fmothered in the Tower. The
armour of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancafl:er, the \
{on of Edward III. This is feven feet high, and '
the fword and lance of an enormous fize. And ]
a droll figure of one William Somers, faid to have |
been king Henry Vlllth's jefter. a
To the eaft of the New Armoury is the Jewel- ]
office, which is a dark, ftrong ftone-room, in which i
the jewels of the crown are depofited. The jewels I
fhewn at prefent are the following. The impe- I
rial crown, with which, it is pretended, all the :
kings of England have been crowned fince Ed- i
ward the Confeflfor, in 1042: it is of gold, en-
riched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls^ 1
^nd fapphires. The golden orb, or globe put \
into the king's right hand before he is crowned :
this
112 The wonders of
this is about fix inches in diameter, edged with
pearls, and enriched with precious ftonesj having
on the top an amethyft of a violet colour, and
near an inch and an half high, fet with a rich
crofs of gold, adorned with diamonds and other
jev^els : the whole height of the ball is eleven
inches. The golden fceptre, with its crofs, fet
upon a large amethyft of great value: the top
rifes into a fleur de lis of fix leaves, all enriched
with precious ftones, fixed upon a mound or ball
formed of the amethyft, already mentioned. The
fceptre, with a dove, the emblem of peace, perched
on the top of a fmall Jerufalem crofs, finely orna-
mented with table-diamonds, andjev/elsof great
value. St. Edward's ftafF, four feet feven inches
and a half in length, and three inches three quar-
ters in circumference, all of beaten gold, which
is carried before the king at his coronation. The
rich crown of ftate worn by his majefty in par-
liament, in which is a large emerald, feven inches
round ; a pearl, efteemed the fineft in the world ;
and a ruby of ineftimable value. The crown be-
longing to the prince of Wales, which, v/hen the
prince is of age to fit in parliament, is carried,
together with the king's crown, as often as his
majefty goes to the parliament-houfe, by the
keeper of the jewel-office, attended by the war-
dens, privately in a hackney-coach, to Whitehall,
where both crowns are delivered to the officer ap-
pointed to receive them, who, with fome yeomen
of the guard, carry them to the robing-rooms ad-
joining to the Houfe of Lords, where his majefty
and the prince of Wales put on their robes. The
king wears his crown on his head while he fits up-
on the throne, but that of the prince of Wales is
placed before him. As foon as the king is dif-
robed, the two crowns are carried back to the
Towel
NATURE AND ART. 113
Tower^by the perfons who brought them from
thence, and again locked up in the jewel-office.
The late queen Mary's crown, globe, and fceptre,
with the diadem flie wore at her coronation with
her confort king William. An ivory fceptre,
with a dove on the top, made for king James IPs
queen, whofe garniture is gold, and the dove on
the top gold, enamelled with white. The cur-
tana, or fword of mercy, the blade of which is
thirty-two inches long, and near two broad, with-
out a point, carried before the king at his coro-
nation^ between the tv/o fwords of juftice. The
golden fpurs, and the armillas, being bracelets
for the vvrifts, which, though very antique, are
worn at the coronation. The ampulla, or eagle
of gold, which is finely engraved, and holds the
holy oil the kings and queens of England are
linointed with; and the golden fpoon, that the
bifliops pour the oil into. The eagle and fpoon
are two pieces of great antiquity; the eagle, in-
cluding the pedeftal, is about nine inches, and
the wings expand about feven inches ; the head
of the eagle fcrews off about the middle of the
n-eck, which is made hollow for holding the holy
oil; and when the king is anointed, the oil is
poured into the fpoon out of the bird's bill, A
rich falt-feller of ftate, in the form of the White-
Tower, with the workmanfhip extremely fine ;
it is of gold, and onlv ufed on the king's table at
the coronation. A filver font double gilt, and
elegantly wrought, in v/hich the royal family are
cbriftened. A large filver fountain curioufly
wrought, prefented by the town of Plymouth to
king Charles II. Bcfides thefe, which are com-
monly fliewn, there are here all the jewels worn
by the princes and princelles at coronations, and
a great quantity of curious old plate.
Th«
114 The WONDERS of
The nextftruclure wefhall mention is themonu-
ment, erected to perpetuate the remembrance the
burning and rebuilding of the city. This dreadful
fire happened in September 1666 ; and this {lately
column, which is of the Doric order, was begun
by Sir Chriftopher Wren in the year 1671, and
ccmpleated by that great architect in 1677. It
greatly exceeds in heighth the pillars at Rome of
the emperors Trajan and Antoninus, the ftately
rerriains of Roman magnificence, or that of Theo-
dofius at Conftantinople ; for the largeft of the
Roman columns, which is that of Antoninus,
was only 172 feet and a half in heighth, and
twelve feet three inches in diameter ; but the
heighth of this column is 120 feet, the heighth of
the pedeftal is forty, and the cippus, with the urn
on the top, forty-two, making in the whole 202
feet ; and the diameter of the column at the bafe
is fifteen feet. It is fluted on the outfide, and at
the corners of the pedeftal are four dragons, the
lupporters of the arms of the citv, and between
tliem troph es, with fymbols of regality, arts, fci-
ences, commerce, &c.
The weft fide of the pedeftal is adorned with
beautiful emblems, by that ingenious ftatuary,
Mr. Cibber, the father of the late poet laureat,
in which the eleven principal figures are done in
alto, and the reft in bafib relievo. The figure, to
which the eye is particularly directed, is a female,
reprefenting the city of London, fitting in a Ian-
guifhing pofture on a heap of ruins ; her hair is
dilhevelled, her head droops, and her hand, with
an air of languor, lies carelefsly on her fword.
Behind is Time gradually raifing her up : by her
fide a woman, reprefenting Providence, gently
touches her with one hand, and, with a winged
fceptre in the other, direwls her to regard two
goddeffes
NATURE AND ART. 115
godclelTes in the clouds, one with a palm-branch,
the emblem of Peace, the other with a cornucopia,:
denoting Plenty. At her feet is a bee-hive, to
fliew, that the greateft misfortunes may be reme-
died by induftry and application. Behind Time
are citizens exulting in his endeavours to reftore
her; and beneath, in the midft of the ruins, is a
dragon, the fupporter of the city arms, who en-
deavours to preferve them with his paw. Still
farther, on the north fide, is a view of the city
in flames, with the inhabitants in confternation.
On an elevated pavement at the other fide, ftands
king Charles II. in a Roman habit, v/ith his head
encircled with a wreath of laurel, feeming to com-
mand three or his attendants to defcend to her
relief; the firft reprefentmg the Sciences holding
Nature in her hands ; the fecond is Architedure,-
with a plan in one hand, and a fquave and com-
pafics in the other; and the third Liberty. Behind
the king (lands the duke of York, with a garland
in one hand, to cr(>wn the rifing city ; and a
fword in the other, for her defence." Behind him
are Juftice wi:h a coronet, and Fortitude with a
reined lion. Undtr the pavement, Envy appears
peeping from her cell, and gnawing a heart ; and
in the upper part of the back ground, is repre-
fented the rebuilding of the city, by fcalfblds
ereaed by the fides of unfiniftied houfes, with
builders and labourers at work upon them. Each
of the other fides of the pedeftal has a Latin in-
fer iption.
Within is a winding ftair-cafe of black
marble, containing 345 Ikps, ten inches and a
half broad, and fix inches in thicknefs, by which
is an afcent to an iron balcony over the capital,
encompaffing a tone thirtv-two feet high, which
fupport^ a blazing urn of brafs gilt.
ii6 The WONDERS op
At a little diftance from the Monument is the
famous ftone bridge over the Thanies to the bo-
rough of Southwark, known by the name of Lon-
don Bridge, and was long remarkable for the lofty
houfes and fiiops built on each fide of it, which
gave it fo much the appearance of a ftreet, that a
llranger fcarce knew he was croffing the river,
till he difcovered it by two openings near the
middle, it was eredled in the room of a wooden
bridge, and finifhed in the reign of king John, it
having been thirty-three years in building, at the
public expence. It confifted of twenty arches,
was 9i<^ feet long, forty-four feet high, and fe-
venty- three feet wide ; but the ftreet between the
houfes was only twenty-three feet wide. The
narrownefs of this palfage having occafioned the
lofs of many lives, from the number of carriages
paffing and repafling ; likewife the enormous fize
of the fterlings, which took up one-fourth part of
the water-way, and rendered the fall at low water
no lefs than five feet, having alfo occafioned fre-
quent and fatal accidents, the city of London, in
1756, obtained an ad of parliament for improv-
ing and widening the pafiage over and through
this bridge. This a<3: was afterwards explained
and improved by another; in confequence of both
which, this bridge has now a pafiage of thirty-
one feet for carriages, with a handfome raifed
pavement of fl:one, feven feet broad on each fide,
for the ufe of foot-pafl^engers ; the fides are fecured
and adorned by finefl:one balufl:rades, enlightened
in the night with lamps. The pafiage through
the bridge is enlarged, by throwing two middle
arches into one, and by other improvements.
Under fome of the arches, at the north end of the
bridge, are machines worked by the tide and ebb
NATURE AND ART. 117
the river, by which the water is raifed to fuch
a height, as to fupply many parts of the city.
Westminster-Bridge is univerfaJly allowed
to be one of the fineft in the v/orld. The firft
ftone of this noble ftru£lure was laid on the 29th
of January 1738-9, by the late earl of Pembroke,
and was finifh«d and opened on the 17th of
November 1750. It is adorned and fecured on
each fide by a very lofty and noble baluftrade.
Over every pier is a recefs on each fide, forming
a femioclagon, and twelve of thefe are covered
with half domes, four at each end, and four in the
middle. Between thefe in the middle are pe-
deftals, on which was intended a group of figures,
and the whole is lighted in the night by a great
number of lamps beautifully difpofed.
This magnificent ftrudure is 1223 feet in
length, and is above three hundred feet longer
than London Bridge. The room allowed for paf-
fengers confifts of a commodious foot-way; feven
feet broad on each fide, paved with broad moor-
ftone, and the intermediate fpace is thirty feet
wide, and is fufficient to admit the paflage of three
carriages and two horfes a-breaft The bridge
confifts of thirteen large and two fmall arches,
with fourteen intermediate piers. The arches are
all femicircular, and fpring from about two feet
'above low-water mark ; the center arch is feventy-
fix feet wide, and the reft decreafe in width
equally on each fide, by four feet ; and the free
courfe for the water under the arches is 870
feet, fo that there is no fenfible fall of water.
The foundation is laid on a firm and folid mafs of
gravel, which lies at the bottom of the bed of the
river, but at a much greater depth on the Surry,
than on the Weftminfter fide ; and this inequality
of the ground required the length of the feveral
ii8 The WONDERS of
piers to be very different, as fome have their foun*
dations laid at five, and others at fourteen feet
under the bed of the river The piers are all four
feet wider at their foundation than at the top, and
are founded on the bottoms of the wooden cafes in
w^hich they were built. All the piers confift of
folid blocks of Portland ftone, many of which are
four or five tons weight, and none lefs than a ton,
except the clofers, or fmaller ftones intended for
faftening the reft, one of which is placed between
ev^ery four of the larger blocks.
Black-Friars Bridge will, when finifhed,
be no lefs magnificent, and will have the advan-
tage of much wider arches, and of appearing
of a lighter ftrudlure. The firft ftone of the
north abutment was laid on the firft of Novem-
ber 1760, by Sir Thomas Chitty, then lord
mayor, attended by feveral aldermen and com-
moners of the committee, by his ftriking the ftone
with a mallet, and the officers laying upon it, at
the fame time, the city fword and mace. Several
pieces of gold, filver, and copper coins of king
George II. were placed under the ftone, together
with a Latin infcription. It is built of Portland
ftone. The arches, which are only nine in num-
ber, are elliptical, and the centre arch a hundred
feet wide, thofe on the fides decreafing in width,
in a regular gradation, and the arch next the
abutment, at the ends, is each feventy feet wide.
It will have an open baluftrade at the top, and
pavilions on the piers^ to ferve as watch-boxes;
and, when finiftied, there will be a foot-way on
each fide, with room for three carriages a-breaft
in the middle. The centre arch is exceeded by
very few in the whole world for bignefs, and is
confiderably larger than that of the Rialto at
Venice.
NATURE AND ART. 119
One of the moft celebrated buildings in Lon-
don is the Royal Exchange, where the merchants
of this great metropolis meet every day at noon,
this bein^>- efteemed one of the fineft and ftrongeft
ftrudures of the kind in Europe. It was orl^gi-
nally built of brick, in the year 1567, at the ex-
pence of Sir Thomas Grefham, a merchant of this
city; and in 1570, was folemnly proclaimed The
Royal Exchange by a herald, with found of trun^-*
pet, at the command, and in the prefence of queen
Elizabeth. That ftrufture being deftroyed by the
fire of London in 1666, it was rebuilt of Portland
ftone, and ruftic-work, in the magnificent manner
it now appears, at theexpence of 80, cool. King
Charles II. laid the firft ftone in the year 1667,
and it was finiftied in 1669. The whole is a pa-
rallelogram 203 feet in length, and 171 in breadth,
inclofing an area 14.4 feet long, and 117 broad.
This area is furrounded with piazzas, forming
ambulatories for the merchants to flielter them-
felvcs from the weather. The middle part is paved
with fine pebbles, and the ambulatories with black
and white marble. In the centre of this area
ftands upon a marble pedeftal, about eight feet
high, a fine ftatue of king Charles IF. in a Ro-
man habit, executed by Mr. Gibbon, and in-
clofed with iron rails. Under the piazzas are $t8
niches, all vacant, except two, one in the north-
weft corner, in which is a ftatue of Sir Thomas
Grefliam, the original founder j and the other at
the fouth-weft, in which is a ftatue of Sir Joha
Barnerd, who had been twice lord mayor of the
city, and many years one of its reprefentatives in
parliament. Above the arches of thefe piazzas is
an entablature, with curious enrichnients ; and
from the cornice rifes a range of pilafters, with
^n entablature extending round, and a cpmpafs
pediment
X20 The WONDERS of
pediment in the middle of the cornice of each of
the four fides. Under that, on the north, are the
king's arms; on the fouth, thofe of the city ; on
the caft, thofe of Sir Thomas Grefliam ; and on
the weft, the arms of the company of mercers,
with their refpeftive enrichments. In the inter-
columns are 24 niches, 20 of which are filled
with the ftatues of the kings and queens of Eng-
land ftanding ereft, dreffed in their robes, and
with their regalia, except the ftatues of king
Charles II. king James II. and George II.
and III. which are habited like the Roman
emperors.
In each of the two principal fronts, next the
ftreets, on the fouth and north fides, is a piazza,
and in the middle of each is an entrance into the
area, under a magnificent arch. On each fide of
the fouth entrance is a niche, one containing a
ftatue of king Charles I. and the other one of
king Charles II. both dreflfed in Roman habits,
and well executed. On each fide of this entrance
is a range of windows, placed between demi-
columns, and pilafters of the Compofite order,
above w^hich runs a baluftrade. The heighth of
the building is 66 feet, and from the centre of
this fide rifes a lanthorn 178 feet high, on the
top of which is a fane of poliftied brafs, in the
form of a grafliopper, that animal being the creft
of Sir Thomas Greftiam's arms. The north
front of the Royal Exchange is adorned with
pilafters of the Compofite order, but has neither
columns nor ftatues on the outfide ; and inftead
of the two compafs pediments, has a triangu-
lar one.
Near the north front of the Royal Exchange
is the Bank of England, which is a fuperb ftruc-
ture, built with Portland-ftone, and, when fi-
niihed.
NATURE AND ART. 12%
niflied will be the moft magnificent edifice of the
kind in Europe. j
To the fouth-weft of the Royal Exchange is |
the Manfion-houfe of the Lord Mayor, a noble
edifice, ereded in the place where Stock's Mar- |
ket was formerly held. The firft ftone of this -
ftru£ture was laid in OsSlober, 1739, and the J
work was not finiftied till the year 1753. It is
built of Portland ftone, and has a portico of fix j
lofty fluted columns, of the Corinthian order, in |
the front ; the fame order being continued in pi-
lafters, both under the pediment, and on each 1
fide. The bafenient ftory is very mafly, and
built in ruftic, having in the centre the door
which leads to the kitchen, cellars, and other >
offices ; and on each fide rifes a flight of fteps,
of very confiderable extent, leading up to the i
portico, in the middle of which is the door which .!
leads to the apartments and offices, w^here bufi- ■
nefs is tranfaiied. The ftone baluftrade of the j
ftairs is continued along the front of the portico, i
and the columns fupport a very large, angular 1
pediment, adorned with a very noble piece in
bafs relief by Mr. Taylor, reprefenting the dig- ;
nity and opulence of the city of London. In the j
centre ftands a graceful woman crowned with j
turrets, reprefenting the city, her left foot placed
upon the figure of Envy, who lies on her back^ :
and feems endeavouring to rife. In her right
hand flie holds a wand, and her left arm refts up- j
on a large ftiield, which has the city arms. This i
being the principal figure, it is done in alto re- :
lievo, ftie feems ready to ftep forwards, her head j
and right arm, which are compleatly finiflied, }
project from the back ground, and her wand ex- j
tends beyond the cornice of the pediment. Near
her, on her right fide, ftands a Cupid holding
the Cap of Liberty over his fhoulderj at the end
Vol. I. G of 1
122 The wonders of
of a fliort ftaff, in the manner of a mace ; and a
little farther, a river God, reprefenting the
Thames, lies reclined, pouring a ftream of wa-
ter from a large vafe j and near him is an anchor
faftened to its cable, with fhells lying on the
fhore. On the left hand of London is Plenty,
kneeling and holding out her hand in a fupplicat-
ing pofture, as if befeeching her to accept of the
fruits fne is pouring from her cornucopia ; and
behind her are two naked boys, with bales of goods,
as emblems of Commerce, Beneath this portico are
two feries of windows, and above them an attic
ftory, with fquare windows, crowned with a
baluflrade.
The building is an oblong ; it has an area in
the middle, and at the fartheft end is an Egyptian
hall, which is the length of the front, very high,
and defigned for public entertainments. To make
it regular in flank, the architect has raifed a fimi^
lar building on the front, which is the upper part
of a Dancing-gallery. The apartments are ex-
tremely noble ; but this edifice being too clofely
furrounded with houfes, the rooms are dark, and the
front itfelf cannot be viewed to proper advantage.
Among the public ftructures of this metropo-
lis, the Britifti Mufeum in Great Ruffel-Street,
Bloomfbury, merits particular attention, not fo
much for its being a large and magnificent build-
ing, as for its containing the nobleft colledlion of
curiofities in the world. Sir Hans Sloane, Bart,
who died in January, 1753, may be juftly efteem-
ed the founder of this grand Mufeum, he leaving
by will his large library, and numerous curiofi-
ties, which coft him 50,0001. to the ufe of the
public, on condition the parliament would pay
20,000 1. to his executors. The parliament
feadily agreed to this noble propofal, and pafled
an
NATURE AND ART. 123
an act for raifing 300,000!. by lottery; two-
thirds of which was divided among the adventu-
rers, and from the remaining hundred thoufand
pounds, 2O5OO0I. was paid to Sir Hans Sloane's exe-
cutors, 10,000]. was given for lord Oxford's
manufcripts ; 30,000 1. was veiled in the funds
for fupplying falaries for oflScers, and other ne*
ceflary expences ; 10,000 1. was given for Mon-
tague-houfe, and 15,0 ol. was employed in re-
pairs, and fitting it up for the reception of this
luperb colleclion of curiofities. After which his
late majefty was gracioufly pleafed to add to it the
royal libraries of books and manufcripts collected
by the kings of England ; and the late Major
Edwards left it a fine colledion of books, with
7000 1. in reverfion, for purchafing manufcripts^
books, medals, and other curiofities.
The Sloanian colleclion confifts of an amazing
number cf curiofities. The library, including
books of drawings, manufcripts, and prints^
amounts to about fifty thoufand volumes. The
medals and coins, ancient and modern, to 23,00 :
the antiquities to II 25 : the velTels, &c. of agate,
jafper, &c. to 545 : the precious ftones to 2256 :
the cameos and intaglios to about 700 : the me-
tals, minerals, ores, &c, to 2725': the cryftals,
fpars, &c. to 1864 : the corals, and fpunges,
to 142 1 : the bitumens, fulphurs, ambers, &c.
to 399 : the fhells, &c. to 5843 : the birds and
their parts, eggs, and nefts, of different fpecies^
to 1172 : the quadrupeds, &c. to 1886 : the in-
fers, &c. to 5439 ; and the vegetables to i25o6»
Befides, there are a great number of other ar-
ticles ; fo that the written catalogues of the whole
fill thirty-eight volumes in folio.
The building is now admirably contrived for
holding this noble colleclion^ and the difpofition
G 2 Qt
124 The WONDERS of
of it in the feveral rooms is not only orderly and
well dcfigned ; but the whole may be viewed
without expence. For which purpofe gentlemen
and ladies give in their names, with their addi-
tion and place of abode, at the porter's lodge,
on which they have notice given them what
day and hour to attend, and tickets given them,
by fhcwing which they are admitted.
In the hall are feveral blocks or columns of
that furprifing natural curirofity, the giants
caufeway in Ireland. A ftone brought from the
Appian road, which leads from Rome to Brun-
dufium ; feveral fragments of granite columns j
a large piece of that fort of marble called ophites,
from its refcmblance to a ferpent's (kin ; a large
piece of the lava, which in the eruptions of
Mount Vefuvius, as will be hereafter mentioned,
iflues like a burning river ; but as it cools har-
dens into a kind of ftone that takes a fine polifh :
feveral ancient monuments of ftone, with ift-
fcriptions in Latin, Greek, and other languages 5
two antique heads of Termini, ufed as land-
marks by the Romans ; a fine fkcleton of a fea
vmicorn, with feveral others.
From the hall you afcend a magnificent flair-
cafe finely painted by La Fofle. The fubjeft of
the cieling is Phaeton entreating Apollo to per-
rnit him to drive his chariot for a day, and on the
walls is a landfkip by Roufleau. This leads in-
to a veftibule, the cieling of which rcprefents the
fall of f^haeton ; and here is a mummy with fomc
other antiquities. The faloon is a magnificent
^oom, the cieling and fide-walls of which are
painted by La Foflc ; the landfkips by Roufleau,
^nd the flowers by the celebrated Baptifl:.
From thence you enter the room that con-
jt^ins the Cottonian and royal manufcrips in
^bout
NATURE AND ART- 125
about 750 volumes. The next room contains the
Harleian manufcripts, confifting of about 7620 vo-
lumes : then turning to the right, you enter a
room, which contains the royal charters, which
are about 16,000 in number. Contiguous to this
is the room of medals, which amount to upwards
of 22,000. The next room contains Sir Hans
Sloane's manufcripts ; and adjoining to it is a
room that contains the antiquities, and opens in-
to the veftibule.
Now entering the veftibule, and pafling through
the faloon, you enter a room that contains the
minerals : the next has the colle£lion offhells, and
a third the colledtion of vegetables and infc£ts.
Then turning again to the left, the next room
contains animals in fpirits, and contiguous to
that is the room of artificial curiofities.
Now defcending a fmall ftair-cafe, and paf-
fing through a room in which is a magnetic ap-
paratus given by Dr. Knight, you are conduct-
ed through two rooms, which contain the royal li-
braries, and afterwards through fix rooms, contain-
ing the library of Sir Hans Sloane. From thence
you enter the withdrawing room of the truftees ;
then into Major Edwards's library; and laftly,
you enter a room that contains a part of the king's
library, which laft, in the whole confifts of about
12,000 volumes.
We fhall conclude our account of the build-
ings of this kingdom with a defcription of the
two celebrated hofpitals of Greenwich and
Chelfea,
Greenwich Hofpital, in the town of that
name, is fuch a fpacious and fuperb edifice, of
fuch noble fymetry, architedure and decorations,
in fuch a delightful fituation, and fo ampiy
endowed, that it is fcarce equalled by any
G 3 founda-
126
The wonders of
foundation upon earth ; and yet, when we con-
fider the vaft expence that has been laid out upon
ornament in a work folely appropriated to huma-
nity, one can fcarce help wifliing, that many of
its beauties had been fpared, in order to increafe
the number of thofe who are to receive the bene*
fit of this magnificent foundation. It ftands up-
on the fouth bank of the Thames, on the fpot
v/here formerly was a palace erected by Humphrey
duke of Gloucester, who called it Placentia*
The palace was enlarged by Henry VIL and
compleated by Henry Vill. who was fo charmed
with its fituation, that he frequently refided
here : but it being afterwards negle£led, king
Charles 11. pulled it down, and began another,
the weft wing of which he lived to fee finifhed.
This wing, together with nine acres of ground,
belonging to it, king William appropriated for a
j-oyal hofpital for aged and difabled feamen, with
the widows and children of fuch of them as loft
their lives in the fervice of the crown, and for the
encouragement of navigation. The other wing
was begun in the reign of king William III. car-
ried on in the reigns of queen Anne and king
George I. and finifhed in the reign of king
George II.
The front to the Thames confifts of twci
ranges of ftone buildings, with the governor's
houfe at the back part, in the centre. Thefe
buildings, between which is a large area, exact-
ly correfpond with each other ; and each range
is terminated by a very noble dome. In each
front to the Thames, tv/o ranges of coupled Co-
rinthian columns fupport their pediments; and
the fame order is continued in pilafters along the
building. The projedlion of the entablatures
gives an agreeable diverfity of light and ihade.
NATURE AND ART. 127
In the centre of each part is the door, which is
of the Doric order, adorned above with a tablet
and pediment. Within the height of the lofty
Corinthian columns on each fide, are two feries
of windows, enlightening two floors : the under-
moft, which are the fmalleft, have ruftic cafes,
while the upper feries are adorned v/ith the or-
ders, and with upright pointed pediments. Over
thefe is an attic Itory, where pilafters of the Co-
rinthian order rife over every column and pi-
lafter of the fame order below, between which
the windows are regularly difpofed, and the top
crowned with a handfome baluftrade.
This is the front facing the Thames. That
which is continued from them, and on each fide
faces the area, correfponds with it, tho* in a
finer and more elegant manner. In the centre of
both, is a. range of Corinthian columns fupport-
ing a pediment ; and towards each corner, a
range of Corinthian pilafters. The front is rufti-
cated, and there are two feries of windows.
The domes at the end, which are 120 feet high,
arefupported on coupled columns, as well as the
'porticos below; and under one of thefe is the
chapel, which is adorned on the infide with the
greateft elegance and beauty. In the centre of
the area is a ftatue of his late majefty king
George II.
The hall is finely painted by Sir James Thorn-
hill, particularly the cieling and upper end : on
the latter are reprefented in an alcove, the late
princefs Sophia, king George 1. king George IL
queen Caroline, the queen dowager of Pruflia,
Frederick, prince of Wales, the duke of Cum-
berland, and the five princefTes, his late majef-
ty's daughters. On the cieling, over the alcove,
are her late majefty queen Anne, and prince
G 4 George
128
The wonders op
George of Denmark ; and on the cieling of the
hall are king William and queen Mary, with fe-
veral fine emblematical figures. All the ftrangers
who fee this hall, pay two-pence each, and this
income is applied to the fupport of the Mathema-
tical School, for the fons of failors.
For the better fupport of this hofpital, every
feaman, both in the royal navy, and in the mer-
chants fervice, pays fix-pence a month. King
William gave 2000I. a year towards finifhing the
buildings. The feveral benefactions to this noble
charity, amount to 58,'209 l. and in 1732, the
late earl of Derwentwater's forfeited eftate,
amounting to near 6000 1. a year, was given to it
by parliament. The profits arifing from the
market at Greenwich, are likewife appropriated
to the fame ufe ; and as occafions require, mo-
ney is granted by parliament for the fupport of
the hofpital.
In 1705 was the firft admiffion of 100 difabled
feamen ; but the number is now increafed to
about 3000 men, and ico boys. To every hun-
dred penfioners are allowed five nurfes, who are
the widows of feamen, at 10 1. a year; and two
Ihillings a week more to thofe who attend in the
Infirmary. The penfioners are cloathed in blue,
with brafs buttons ; and are alfo allowed hats,
linen, ftockings, and flioes : befides their com-
mons, they have one fhilling a week to fpend ;
and the common warrant-ojfHcers one fhilling and
fix-pence. The hofpital has a governor, a lieute-
nant-governor, a treafurer, and other officers.
Behind the hofpital is a delightful park, well
ftocked with deer, that has a fine profpeft, both
of the city of London, and of the river Thames.
On the top of a fteep hill in the park, is a Royal
Obfervatory, ere6led by Charles II. furnifhed
with
NATURE AND ART. 129
with all forts of mathematical inftruments for
aftronomical obfervations, and a deep well for
obferving the ftars in the day-time, under the di-
rection of an aftronomer royal.
As Greenwich Hofpital is appropriated for the
fupport of aged and difabled feamen, there is an-
other Royal Hofpital at Chelfea, about two miles
fouth-weft of London, for the Invalids, in the
land-fervice. This hofpital was originally a col-
lege, founded by Dr. SutklifF, dean of Exeter,
in the reign of king James 1. for the ftudy of
Polemic Divinity. The king gave many of the
materials, as well as a large fum of money ; but
the fum fettled by Dr. Sutkliff upon the founda-
tion, being far unequal to the end propofed, the
reft was left to private contributions ; and thefe
coming in flowly, the work was fufpended, and
foon fell to ruin. At length, the ground com-
ing to the crown, king Charles II. began the-
prefent hofpital, which was carried on by James IL
and compleated by William and Mary. It was
built by Sir Chriftopher Wren; and tho' lefe
magnificent than Greenwich Hofpital, is one of
the neateft and moft elegant ftruftures of the kind
in Europe. The principal building confifts of a
large quadrangle, open to the Thames. The
front has a noble gate-way leading thro' it, on
one fide of which is a chapel, on the other a hall
where the penfioners dine in common, and be-
tween is a noble pavilion, with a fine gallery
facing the river, fupported by ftone pillars. The
two fides, or wings, which arc four ftories high,
are divided into wards, two in every ftoryt each
containing twenty-fix diftinft apartments. At
each of the four corners is a pavilion, one for
the governor's lodging and the council-chamber;
and the other three are appropriated for offices.
G 5 la
130 The WONDERS of
In the middle of this area, is a fine ftatue in
brafs, of king Charles II. Befides the principal
building, there are two other large fquares, which
confift of apartments for the officers and fervants
of the houfe, for old maimed officers of horfe apd
foot ; and of an Infirmary for the fick, with
other conveniencies.
The expen-ce of erecting this ftru£lure, which
is of brick and ftone, is computed at 1 50,000!.
and the extent of the ground is above 40 acres.
This building is particularly remarkable for its
great regularity, and the proper fubordination of
its parts, together with fuch a difpofition of them
as is beft fuited to the purpofes of the charity, the
reception of a great number, and the providing
them with every thing that can contribute to
their convenience and pleafure. Thefe penfion-
crs confift of fuperannuated veterans, who have
been at leaft twenty years in the army, or thofe
foldiers who are difabled in the fervice of the
crown. They wear red coats, lined with blue ;
and are provided with all other cloaths, diet^
xvafhing and lodging. Thirty- fix officers are al-
lowed fix-pence a day ; thirty-four light horfemen,
'^nd thirty- ferjeants, have two {hillings a week
each ; fo^'ty-eight corporals and drums have ten-
pence per wee A ; and the private men, who
amount to about 400, are each allowed eight-
pence a week, pocket-money. As the houfe is
called a garrifon, all the members of it are ob-
liged to do duty in their refpedlive turns, and
they have prayers twice a day in the chapel. Be-
fides thefe, there are upwards of 12,000 out-
penfioners, who are allowed 7I. 12s. 6d. a year
each. Thefe great expences are' fupported by a
poundage, deducted out of the pay of the army,
with one day's pay, once a year from each officer
NATURE AND ART, 13!
and common foldier; and when there is any de*
deficiency, is fupplied by a fum granted by par*
liament.
Having faid enough, or perhaps too much
upon this head, it remains that we give fome ac-
count of thofe arts, manufaftures, &c. of the
Britifli nation for which they are moft famous,
and which are the chief fource of their power and
riches.
Arts, Manufactures, and Fisheries.
'np H E Woollen Manufafture, which includes
^ all the forts of commodities into v/hich wool
is wrought, now makes the principal article both
in our foreign and domeftic trade, and therefore
defervedly comes firft under our confideration.
The wools of England have always been in the
highcft repute, the beft of which are thofe of Leo-
minfter, Cotfwold, Lincolnfhire, and the Ifle of
Wight ; and though the Scotch and Irifti wools
are commonly fold abroad for Englifli, yet they
are far ftiort of it in finenefs*. Even the Spanifb
* The finenefs and plenty of our wool is owing in fome
jneafure to the fweet (hort grafs in nnany of our paftures and
Downs ; and the advant.ige of our fheep feeding on this
grafs all the year, without being fhut up in folds durilig the
winter, or to fecure them from wolves at other times, con-
tributes not a little to the foftnefs of their fleeces. M. Col-
bert, to whom the French manufa^Vures and commerce are
very much indebted, had thoughts of procuring fome Eng-
lifli flieep, and propagjating them in France, by chufing them
(as near as poflible) fnch paftures and fuch a fkyas they had
in their own iflnnd ; fo that the French might be no longer
obliged to depend precarioufly on the clandeftine fupplies of
wool from England : But the count de Ccminges, then am-
ba(rador of France at the Englifh court, laid the impolfibility
of getting fuch an export of flieep, and of making them
multiply in France, fo ftrongly before him, that he aban-
doned the defign.
G 6 woolj
J32 The WONDERS op \
wool, which bears a great price among us, owes
its goodnefs to a few Englifli flieep fent over into '\
Spain as a prefent by one of our kings. Anci- j
ently the principal commerce of this nation con- \
fifted in wool unmanufaftured, which was bought :
of us by foreigners; infomuch that the Cuftoms of ;
Englifti wool exported, in the reign of Edward |
the Third, amounted, at fifty fliillings a pack, 1
to 25O5CO0I. per annum, which in thofe days was
a prodigious fum. When our wool was fold in ■
the fleece, our chief cuftomers were the Flemings :
and Brabanters, particularly the merchants of ^
Ghent and Louvain, who took ofF vaft quanti-
ties, to fupply two manufaftories that had flou- \
jifhed in thofe cities from the tenth century, and '
furniflied the greateft part of Europe with woollen !
cloths, &c. But the inhabitants of Ghent having '
clivers times revolted againft their fovereigns, on i
account of certain taxes which they refufed to I
pay, the fcditious were at length punifhed and ]
difperfed, part of them retiring to Holland, and ]
the reft to Louvain. Thefe laft, together with i
their art, carrying with them their fpirit of fe- \
<iition, it was not long before feveral of them,. ^
for murdering feme of the magiftrates, were ob-
liged to fly into England, where they inftruiled
our people how to manufa£lure their own wool; ]
in which they fucceeded fo well, and were fo \
fenfible of the advantages arifing from it, that ^
our parliaments have fince that time ufed their j
utmoft endeavours to prevent the exportation of '
wool ; though all the laws hitherto made for that \
purpofe have not put an effeflual flop to that ;
pernicious praftice. This eftablifliment of the "
woollen manufactures in England was about the ]
year 1420 ; though M. de Thou places it in the \
reign of ^ueen Elizabeth, when the troubles |
about ]
NATURE AND ART. 133
about religion, and the feverity of the duke of
Alva, drove great numbers of weavers and other
artifts out of the Low Countries into this king-
dom. But what that excellent hiftorian fays
upon this head, is rather to be underftood of their
perfeftion than their firft eftablifliment, and of the
fever al great manufa£lures then fet up at Norwich,
Colchefter, and other places ; for hiftory makes
mention of thofe of London long before any part
of the Seventeen Provinces had attempted to throw
ofF the Spanifti yoke. How valuable the woollen
manufadlure is to this nation appears from a
computation of Dr. Davenant, (and we hope it
is fmce improved) who reckons the produce
thereof to be eight millions per annum, three
fourths of which are confumed at home, and the
reft exported.
As to the art of Weaving, which is now brought
to fuch great perfection amongft us in all its va-
rious branches, it is undoubtedly very ancient.
The looms ufed by weavers are of various ftruc-
tures, accommodated to the diflferent materials
to be wove, and to the different manner of weav-
ing them. As many of them are exceedingly com-
plex, it is fcarce poffible to give the reader a juft
idea of them by a verbal defcription, which there-
fore we ftiall not attempt. But perhaps there is
no kind of loom of a more curious ftrufture than
that for weaving ftockings, which is a modern
invention, the honour whereof has been greatly
contefted between the French and Englifh. The
truth however,. fetting afide all national prejudices,
feems to be, that this ufeful and furprifing ma-
chine was firft invented by a Frenchman, who,
finding fome difficulty to procure an exclufive
privilege to fettle himfelf at Paris, came over to
England, where he was encouraged according ta
his
134 The WONDERS of
his merit. Having imparted his invention to the
Englijfh, they became fo jealous of it, that it was
forbid, under pain of death, to carry any of the
machines out of the ifland, or to communicate a
model of them to foreigners : but as we flrft received
it from a Frenchman, fo a Frenchman firft carried
it abroad, and, by a wonderful ftrength of me-
mory and imagination, made a loom at Paris, on
the idea he had formed thereof by viewing it in
England. This loom was fet up in the year
1656, and has ferved for the model of all thofe
fmce ere£ted in France, Holland, and other parts
of Europe.
The mention of thcfe curious machines puts us
in mind of one of an extraordinary nature, viz.
the famous engine for making thrown filk at Der*
by, the model of which Sir Thomas Lombe
brought from Italy, and at a great expence ereded
on the river Derwent. This engine contains
26,586 wheels, and 97,746 movements, to all
which one water-wheel gives motion ; and every
time this wheel goes round, no lefs than 73,726
yards of filk-thread are twifted, amounting to
318,504,960 yards in twenty-four hours. One
lire-engine conveys warm air to every part of the
machine, and the whole work is governed by one
regulator. — In the fifth of king George I. a pa-
tent pafTed to fecure to Sir Thomas Lombe the
fole property of this invention for fourteen years :
but the undertaking being very expenfive, and
the faidterm being near elapfed without any great
benefit arifing to the proprietor. Sir Thomas ap-
plied to parliament, who, to preferve the arc from
being loft, granted him i4,occl. on condition,
that an exadl model fliould be taken of this won-
derful pi^ce of machinery ; which was done ac-
cordingly^ and may be feen in the Tower o£
London*
NATUP>.E AND ART. 135
London. After the death of Sir Thomas, this
engine was fold, and others have been erefted in
imitation of it.
As the Englifli have long been famous for their
(kill in navigation, as well as for their naval
power, it feems proper to fay fomething upon
this fubjeft. The invention of fhips is very an-
cient, and at the fame time very uncertain^ fome
afcribing it to Dsedalus, whofe wings (fay they)
which he invented to efcape from the labyrinth of
Crete, were nothing but I'ails, which he added to
his veflel, and thereby eluded the purfuit of Mi-
nos. Others chufe to refer the origin of fo ufeful
an invention to God himfelf, who gave the lirft
fpecimen thereof in the ark built by Noah under
his direction. Hiflory however reprefents the
Tyrians as the firft navigators, who being fur-
nifhed from Lebanon and other adjacent moun-
tains with excellent wood for ftiip-building, foon
became mafters of a numerous fleet, by which they
arrived to an incredible pitch of power and
riches : and it is from the fame fource, I mean
that of navigation and commerce, that England
derives its opulence and ftrcngth, and is become
the envy of its neighbours on the Continent.—.
To give the reader an idea of the feveral parts and
members of a ftiip, both internal and externa],
would be impoflible without draughts thereof,
and explanations annexed ; but he may form a
notion of the furprizing bulk of fome of thefe
floating {Irudures, by the dimenfions of one of the
largeft that the modern ages have produced *, I
mean
* We read of fome flilps built by the ancients (which in-
deed were more for (hew than nie) whole magnitude far ex-
ceeded the largeft of the prelent times. That of PtoJcmy
Philopater was 280 cubits long, 38 broad, and 48 high j
caj ryjn^ 400 rowers, the fame number of failvrs; and 3000
^ foidiers.
136 The W ONDERS op
mean one of our firft-rate men of war, which is
210 feet in length, draws 22 feet water, car-
ries no guns and 1250 men, has an anchor
weighing above four tons, a cable 20C yards long,
and 22 inches in diameter.
The art of navigation was not brought to per-
fection till after the invention of the Mariner's
Compafs, the honour of which is claimed by feve-
ral nations. This is an inftrument by which pi-
lots direct the courfe of their fliips, confifting of a
box, including a magnetical needle that always
points nearly to the north. In the middle of the
box is fixed a perpendicular pivot, which fuftains
a card or paft-board, on whofe upper furface are
defcribed feveral con-centric circles, the outermoft
whereof is divided into 360 degrees, and the other
into 32 points anfwering to lb many winds, for
which the feamen have different names. In the
centre of this card is a brafs cone or cap, a little
concave, which is fitted to the middle of the
needle, and plays freely on the pivot. It is co-
vered with a glafs, and the whole is inclofed in
another box, where it is fufpended in fuch a man-
ner as to keep the needle horizontal. The needle
is made of a thin plate of fteel, in the form of a
lozenge, (or what is vulgarly called a diamond)
and being rubbed on a good loadftone, acquires
the above-mentioned property of turning towards
foldiers. But that which Hiero built, under the direflion of
Archimedes, is ftill more extraordinary, having wood enough
in it to make fifty galleys. It had all the variety of apart-
ments contained in a palace, befides galleries, gardens, baths,
fifh-ponds, mills, ilables, &c. It was encompafTed with an.
iron rampart, and had eight towers with walls and bulwarks
furnifhed with machines of war, particularly one that threw
a ftone of three hundred weight, or a dart twelve cubits long,
to the diftance of half a mile.?— See more in Athenaeus,
Lib. V.
the
NATURE AND ART. 137
the north ; the exceeding ufefulnefs of which in
navigation is very eafy to conceive.
The pov^^er of the magnet or loadftone to at-
traft iron was known to the ancients, and is men-
tioned by Plato, Ariftotle, and Pliny ; but the
knowledge of its direftive power, whereby it dif-
pofes its poles along the meridian of every place,
and caufes needles, pieces of iron, &c. touched
with it to point nearly north and fouth, is of a
much later date ; though the exaft time of the
difcovery, and the perfon that made it, are yet un-
known. Guyot de Provins, an old French poet,
who lived in the twelfth century, feems plainly
enough to hint at the ufe of the magnetic needle ;
and the French lay claim to the invention of the
compafs from the fleur-de-lis, with which all na-
tions difl:inguifli the north point upon the card.
With equal reafon Dr. Wallis afcribes it to the
Englifh, from its name compafs, whereby moft na-
tions call it, and which (he obferves) is ufed in
feveral parts of England to fignify a circle : but
if the Englifh are not intitled to the honour
of the difcovery, they have at leaft the merit of
having brought it to perfedion, by the method of
fufpending the box which contains the needle.
Some v^ill have it, that Marco Paolo, a Venetian,
having made a journey to China, brought back
the invention with him in the year 1260 ; and
what feems to confirm the conjeilure is, that at
firft the Europeans ufed the compafs in the fam.e
manner as the Chinefe ftill do, i. e. they let it
float on a piece of cork, infliead of fufpending it on
a pivot. There is fome reafon to think that our
countryman, Roger Bacon either difcovered, or
at
* It appears that this famous friar uncferftood how to
make gunpowder ^bove a hundred years before we have any
account
138 The WONDERS of
at leaft knew of, the directive quality of the load-
ftone : but after all, Flavio Gioia is the perfon
who is ufually fuppofed to have conftrufted the
firft mariner's compafs, about the year 130O5 at
Melfi in the kingdom of Naples.
The variation or declination of the magnetic
needle from the true north point, cither towards
the eaft or weft, which is greater or lefs in dif-
ferent parts of the world, was firft difcovered in
the year 1500 by Sebaftian Cabot, a Venetian.
The inclination or dipping of the needle, when
hung fo as to play vertically, to a point beneath
the horizon, was the difcovery of Mr. Robert
Norman, an Engliftiman, about the year i^yb.
The variation of the variation, that is, a difference
in the declination of the needle at different times
in the fame place, was firft found out by another
of our countrymen, Mr. Gellibrand, about the
year 1634 ; though fome afcribe the difcovery to
GaiTendus. It is very difficult to account for thefe
furprizing phsenomena ; but thofe who are defi-
rous of farther fatisfaftion with refpe£l to the va-
riations of the needle, we refer to the ingenious hy-
pothefis of the learned Dr. Halley, publifhed in
the Philofophical Tran factions.
Before we take leave of our ifland, let us
give a brief account of its principal fifheries,
which make a confiderable branch of the Britifh
commerce. A great number of vefTels and feamen
are employed therein ^ and befides what is con-
account of its being ufed in the art of war ; for he exprefsly
mentions the compofition in a Treatife cle Nullitate Magiaf,
publilhed at Oxford in 121 6. You may raife thunder
and lightning (fays he) at pleafure, by only taking ful-
phur, nitre, and charcoal, which being mixed together,
and confined in a clofe place, caufes a noife and explofion
greater than that of thunder.''
fumed
NATURE AND ART. 139
fumed at home, above 200,000 1. fterling is yearly
returned in time of peace merely for herring and
cod exported to Spain, Italy, and feveral parts of
the Mediterranean. Notwithftanding this, we
are juftly reproached with being too remifs in this
profitable article of trade, and letting our neigh-
bours reap the advantage of thofe bleflings which
nature feems to invite us to recei^^e. The Dutch,
Hamburghers, and others, come annually in
fwarms to our coafts, where they take immenfe
quantities of fifli, and even fell them to us after-
wards for ready money. Scotland fuffers incre-
dibly by this negle6l ; for no country in Europe
can rival it in the abundance of fine fifli where-
with its feaa and rivers are ftored ; and the Scot-
tifli illands, efpecially thofe on the weftern fide,
lie very commodioufly for carrying on the fifliing-
trade to perfe£lion
W E ihall fay nothing of our Cod-fifhery at
home, it being inconfiderable compared with that
of Nev/foundland, which fhall be fpoken of in its
proper place. The herring-fiOiery on the coafts
of Scotland, if purfued with that application it
deferves, would be of vaft advantage to Great-
Britain. The ifles of Shetland are particularly
remarkable for the innumerable ftioals of herrings
that appear there in the fummer-feafon, infomuch
that the Dutch fend thither annually two thoufand
* The eftablifhment of a filhery in thefe iflands was firft
attempted by King Charles I. in conjunction with a company
of merchants ; hut the unhappy civil war breaking out
amongft us, the defign mifcarried. The next attempt was made
by king Charles II. who alfo joined with fome merchants, and
for a time the undertaking fucceeded well enough 5 bul the
king being'in want of money withdrew what he had employed in
the filliery, at which the merchants being difgufted, did the
like, and fo the affair was ruined. — The herrings about the
weftern ifles are reckoned the be ft and fatt(?ft, tho' not fo large
as thofe taken on the eaftern and northern coafts.
veffels.
»4o The WONDERS of
veflels, and fometimes more, which are employed
in that fifliery during the months of June, July,
and Augufl:. Thefe veflels are a kind of barks
called Bufles, from forty-five to fixty tons, car-
rying two or three fmall cannons. During this
feafon, the iflanders enrich themfelves by felling
feveral forts of Scots manufaftures to the Dutch
feamen, as well as provifions ; and alfo by taking
great quantities of fifli on their own accounts,
which are purchafed by the Dutch.
The Hollanders firfl: began a regular herring-
fifliery about the year 1164, and obferved the fe-
veral feafons of their paflage ; for thefe fifli make
a yearly progrefs in vaft multitudes from the
North Sea down the Britifti Channel, and return
again at a certain time, obferving a wonderful
policy and exadnefs. They ufually go inflioals,
and are fond of following fire or light ; and in
their paflage refemble a kind of lightning them-
felves. But though the Dutch began their her-
ring-fifliery fo early, the method of falting and
barrelling them was not difcovered till the latter
end of the fourteenth or beginning of the fifteenth
century *. The white or pickled herrings cured
by the Dutch are in the greateft repute, and next
to them the Irifli, particularly thofe of Dublin,
which are fcarce inferior to the befl: herring of
Enchuyfen or Rotterdam. The Scotch herring is
not fo well gutted, faked, or barrelled as the
Dutch, and yet its tafl:e is excellent ; nor is it
* Willoughby obferves, that one Buckelfz, or Bachalen, a
native of Bier Viiet, rendered his name immortal, by difcover-
ing the method of curing and pickhng herrings ; and adds,
that the emperor Charles V. when he was in the Low-Coun-
tries, made a journey with the queen of Hungary to the ifle
of Bier Vliet, on purpofe to view a monument ere61ed there
to his memory.
doubted.
NATURE AND ART. i4t
doubted, but that if the Scots were as careful in
thefe circumftances as their neighbours, their her-
ring would be the beft in the world.
For red herrings the town of Great Yarmouth
in Norfolk has long been famous *, and indeed
has engrofTed the whole herring fiftiery on the
eaft coaft of England. The feafon for this fifhery
is in September ; and it is faid that fifty thoufand
barrels, (fome fay forty thoufand lafts) containing
no lefs than forty millions of herrings, are annu-
ally taken and cured here, great part of which are
exported to Italy, Spain, and Portugal. When
the fifli are caught, they gut and lay them in
brine for twenty-four hours ; after which they
hang them by the head on little wooden fpits, in
a kind of chimney made for that purpofe, which
vAll hold ten or twelve thoufand at a time ; where
they remain till they are fufficiently fmoaked and
dried by a fmothering fire of brufli-wood, and are
then taken down and barrelled up for keeping.
The Pilchard fifliery on the coaft of Cornwall
and Devonfliire, is fo profitable an article to the
inhabitants of thofe counties, that it deferves to be
mentioned. This fifli is bigger than the anchovy,
but lefs than the herring, which in other refpecSs
it pretty much refembles. The feafon for catch-
ing the Pilchards is from June to September, at
which time they appear in fuch prodigious fhoals,
that half a million have been taken at a draught.
Many thoufand barrels' are yearly exported by the
merchants ^ but our fi£b, though bigger, are not
* The author of the additions to Mr. Camden informs us,
that this town is bound by its charter to fend to the ftierifFs of
Norwich every year a hundred herrings baked in twenty-four
pafl-ies, which are to be deHvered to the Lord of the Manor of
Eaft-Carlton, in the fame county, who is to give a receipt for
them, and convey thengi to the king.
f42 The WONDERS op
fo much valued as thofe taken on the coafts of
France, which is principally owing to their not
being fo thoroughly cured.
The Salmon fiftiery is very confiderable in fe-
veral places along the coafts of England, Scot-
land, and Ireland ; but Scotland feems to have
far the greateft fliare in this branch of commerce.
Moft of the rivers of that kingdom abound with
Salmon, which are taken at certain feafons in fur-
prizing numbers, and being pickled, are not only
fent to divers parts of England, but exported to
Holland, France, Spain, and other countries.
The greateft part of what is fold .in London by
the name of Newcaftle Salmon is brought from
Berwick upon Tweed, in which river vaft quan-
tities are taken : but the fifhery at Aberdeen, in
the rivers Dee and Don, exceeds any other in
Scotland, and their Salmon are reckoned the beft
in Europe, which perhaps is owing to their be-
ing well cured, of which the magiftrates take
particular care. We may judge what plenty of
thefe fine fifti refort from the fea to the rivers juft
mentioned, where it is no uncommon thing to
take above a hundred and fifty head of Salmon at
a fmgle draught of a net. — We now proceed to
the Continent, and fhall begin with France,
from which we are feparated only by a narrow
channel.
CHAP.
NATURE AND ART. 143
C H A 11.
0/* FRANCE, including LorraiNj^
Alsace,
Springs, Caves, ^c.
TH E Natural Hiftory of France can fcarce
afFord us a greater curiofity than the Salt
Water Springs at Salins in the Franche-Comte,
or County of Burgundy. The chief fprings at
Salins are in the middle of the town, in feveral
fubterraneous caves or vaults, of a great depth
and extent. To view them we defcend by forty
fteps of ftone, and twenty of wood, into a vault
near fifty feet long and thirty broad, where the
noife of the waters and the engines at work ta
raife them is very furprizing. In this cave we fee
(by the light of torchesj fix fprings of falt-water,
and two of frefh, guftiing out of the fame rock
within the fpace of five yards ; and to prevent the
waters mixing together, there are feveral chan-
nels made to convey them into different wells or
bafons. From hence we go into other vaults,
v/here the double arches reft on very thick pillars ;
and in the middle of one of thefe is a large bafon,
into which the waters of the Salt-Springs are ga-
thered. Of thefe there are fix or feven others,
befides thofe already mentioned, and ten or twelve
of frefh water ; all which, as before obferved,
run into different bafons prepared for that pur-
pofe ; and from hence they are raifed by various
engines, the frefh to be conveyed to the river,
and the fait into large refervoirs, one of which
holds above fifteen thoufand hogfheads. From
thefe
444 The WONDERS of
thefe refervoirs the water is drawn off into fmaller
ones, which furround the places where it is boiled
to make fait. For this purpofe they have feveral
furnaces, over which are fixed huge iron pans or
boilers, near thirty feet in diameter and fifteen
inches deep, containing forty-five or fifty hog-
flieads. A very ftrong fire being made under-
neath, and gradually flackened, the water is
boiled about twelve hours, in which it evaporates,
and leaves the fait at the bottom of the pan almoft
perfeilly dry. Then with a fort of rake they take
off the uppermoft part of the fait, which is the
moft valuable, being whiteft and ftrongeft ; and
the reft is formed into cakes or loaves, which when
dried, are fit for ufe.
The place where thefe fprings lie, and all the
works neceflary for making fait, is furrounded
with a ftrong wall, flanked with towers and
crowned with a parapet, fo that it has the appear-
ance of a fortification. Round the infide of the
wall are various buildings, fome of which contain
the engines that raife the waters, others the fur-
naces and kettles, and in others the fait is framed
and dried. Some again are filled with caiks,
tubs, and other utenfils, both for the ufe of the
workmen and fending the Salt abroad ; others
ferve as warehoufes ; and in others are kept great
quantities of iron, and alfo the coals neceflary for
feveral forges, which are continually employed in
making new boilers or mending old ones, the vio-
lence of the fire wearing them out in a little
time *. The whole fpace thus inclofed is almoft
* The pans or boilers are not fo much worn out by the fire,
ns by the corroding of the brine ; and therefore the pans at
Droitwitch in Wc rcefterfhire are made of lead, and not of
iron, as they are in Chelhire and gther places,
NATURE AND ART. 145
three hundred yards in length, and a hundred in
breadth.
These Spruigs (it is obfervedj are not all of
an equal faltnefs, nor at all times, for they are
found to produce more fait after heavy rains than
in a dry feafon *. To know the difl^erent degrees
of faltnefs of the feveral Springs, they make ufe
of a tube fomewhat more than an inch in dia-
meter, and eight inches deep, which being filled
with the falt-v/ater, they put into it a ftick, at
the bottom of which is fome quickfilver to keep it
upright; and this finks m^ore or lefs in the water,
according as it is lefs or more impregnated with
fait. This ftick, having feveral divifions marked
upon it, fuews what quantity of fait a certain
weight of water will produce ; and accordingly
they take care to add fuch a proportion of the
ftrongeft water to the weakeft, as may anfwer the
end of boiling it; for if the water be too weak,
that is, if a hundred pound weight of it v»'ill not
yield at leaft eighteen or twenty pounds of fait,
the profit will not anfwer the expence.
Near Bourbon-Lanci in the Dutchy of Bur-
gundy, there is a mineral Spring which is very
remarkable, if all be true that is related of its
properties. It is faid to be fo hot, that a man
cannot keep his hand in it two minutes, and yet
an egg left in it a whole hour will not grow hard.
It has neither fmell nor tafte ; nor does it burn the
Jips when drank, or add any warmth to the fto-
xnach.
The Burning Spring, which is reckoned one
pf the Wonders of Dauphine, is in reality no
* According to Dr. Jackfon's account of our Salt Springs
at Nantvvich in Chefhire, the workmen there obferve quite the
reverie, viz. that more Salt is produced fron) the fame quan-
tity of briiie in dry than in wet feafons.
Vol* L H fpring
146 The WONDERS of
fpring at all, but a fpot of ground about two
yards in length and one in breadth, on which
there appears a fmall wandering flame, like that
of burning brandy. This fpot lies on a fteep
rock of rotten flate ; but the flame docs not feem
to proceed from any hole or fiifure ini:he rock,
nor can one perceive any matter proper to feed it,
or any afhes produced. There is indeed a kind of
white and very fharp Salt-petre to be found at fome
diflance from the flame, which probably is fed by
fomething of that nature ; but it is remarkable, that
this flame burns much brifker in winter than in
fummer, decreafing gradually as the heat in-
creafes, till it fometimes goes quite out, and af-
terwards kindles again of itfelf. It may eafily be
lighted by any other fire, and when this is done it
is attended with fome noife. This is probably of
the fame nature with the everlafl:ing fire of Per-
fia^ tho' it is in rnany refpeds lefs remarkable,
and of which we ftiall give a particular account
in treating of Perfia.
In the road from Grenoble to Lyons, there i$
a large cavern or grotto, very wide at the en-
trance, but growing narrower by degrees, till we
come to a lake, (as it is called) which is reckon-
ed another of the Wonders of Dauphine. But
we cannot learn that this lake is any more than a
rivulet or brook, which is common enough ir;
places of this nature
There
=♦ However this be, the French hiftorian Mezeray tells us
very fenciifly, that Francis I. who loved to enquire into cUr
rloiis and extraordinniy Phaenomena, had a mind to be ac-
quainted with the particulars of this fubterraneouK Lake,
and for that purpofe ordered a flat-bottom vefTcl to be built
in the cave that leads to it, which was done accordingly. On
each fide of this veflel .they fartened feveral boards, on which
^hey placed a great many lighted torches j and having pro-
NATURE AND ART. 147
There is a remarkable Fountain at Perou!,
near Montpellier, in Languedoc, which heaves
and boils upfurioufly in fmall bubbles. This ma-
nifeftly proceeds, (as Dr. Robinfon obferved)
from a vapour breaking out of the earth ; for up-
on digging near it, and pouring other water up-
on the pUce newly dug, the fame bubbling im-
mediately enfued : and in feveral dry places
thereabouts are found many fmall ventidu6ls or
/piracies, at which a fteam iflues forth, ftrong
enough to remove light bodies, fuch as thin
ftraws, leaves, or feathers. It is obfervable, that
this vapour does not take fire upon the application
bf a lighted candle, like the fumes emitted from
the boiling fpring near Wigan in Lancafhire.
Several places in Bigorre, a part of Gafco-
ny, are noted for their Mineral Waters, and par-
ticularly their Hot Baths, to which people refort
in fpring and autumn. The chief of thefe Baths
are at Bagneres, which were known to the
ancient Romans, from whence it was called
Vicus Aquenfis. They are of various de-
grees of heat -y but their waters do not change
the colour of metals put into them, like thofe of
Bath in England. — Barege is a village at the foot
of the Pyrenean Mountains, where there are four
videu matches, fteel, flints, and other neceflaries, wkh. very
able watermen, they put off from the Ihore with the king^
After they had rowed fome lime, they perceived the breadth
of the Lake was about half a league; but going near two
leagues farther they heard a great nolle, which became more
frightful as they advanced ; and they found the water ran
^vith prodigious fwifnels. Imagining from hence there might
be Ibme abyfs not far olf, they loofened one of the boards
with the torches upon it, and fet it adrift j which, being car-
ried away with a vaft rapidity, was foon overfet orlWaliOweJ.
T^errified with this, they would venture no faithcr, but re-
turned to the entrance of the grotto.
H 2 Baths
148 The WONDERS of
Baths of different degrees of heat. The water
of the hotteft fmells like the mud of the fea, and
the very fteam of it will turn filver firft red and
then black ; but the alteration is quicker, if the
metal be put into the water itfelf. The fecond
Bath is of the fame nature, but not quite fo hot.
The water of the third is lefs hot ftill ; and that
of the fourth is but lukewarm, being very much
w:^akened by a mixture from fome cold fprings,
Thele Baths are reckoned good to remove rheu-
matic pains, and fevcral other diforders.
MouLiNS, the capital of the Bourbonnois, is
famous for its medlcmal waters ^ and indeed this
duchy has more mineral fprings than any other
province in France. The little town of Vichi is
noted on this account ; but the waters of Bour-
bon-TArchambaud have been moft frequented of
late, being efteemed of great efficacy againft the
gout, and other nervous diftempers. They are
impregnated with bitumen and an alkaline fait ;
fo that if an acid be put into them, it caufes a
fermentation, and they will turn fyrup of violets
green, like oil of tartar. — A great many other
mineral fprings might be mentioned, but as they
are not more remarkable than thofe already enu-
^^eratedj we fhall conclude this article^ onlyjuft
taking notice of a Lake near St. Omicr's, which
is famous for the following extraordinary curio-
sity.
In this Lake there are feveral Floating IHands,
which are moved backwards and forwards, by
rneans of poles, ropes, &c. Grafs grows on
thcfe Iflands, and the people draw them near the
fhore, toiJrive their cattle into them; there are
alfo fome trees, but they are kept low, for fear
the wind fnould lay hold of them, and drive the
lAands with too much violence. There are no
houfes
NATURE AND ART. 149
houfcs upon them however, much lefs a church
and monaftery, as fome have alTerted.
Fr A NCE abounds w^ith quarries of excellent
marble, and has its mines of iron, copper, and
lead, and even fome of gold and filver, which laft
are not worked at prefent, the profit not anfwer^
ing the expence. Near Alet, in particular, a
village at the foot of the Pyrenean Mountains, it
is faid that wld was duo; in the time of the Ro-
mans ; and the rivulets that fpring from thence
do ftill carry a golden fand along with their wa-
ters. In 1672 M. Colbert got thefe mines to be
worked, but finding only a few veins of copper,
the undertaking was foon laid afide. — Having
therefore nothing extraordinary to fay under the
head of Metals, Minerals,^ or other Folfils, we
proceed to that of Vegetables,
VEGETABLES.
A S we are now going to fpeak of fome of the
vegetable produftions of France, we ought
in juftice to begin with the Vine, that noble plant
or ftirub of the reptile kind, fo valuable for its
fruit, and the rich liquor it affords. This plant
was firft brought from Afia to Europe; and the
Phoenicians, who were early navigators, efpeci-
ally along the Mediterranean coafts, transferred it
to moft of the Iflands, as well as the Continent.
It fucceeded admirably in the Ifles of the Archi-
pelago, and was afterwards introduced into
Greece and Italy. From thence it palTed the
Alps, being found at Marfeilles and other places,
when Gaul was conquered by Julius Caefar : but
the cultivation of the Vine was prohibited by
Domitian, and neither the Gauls nor Spaniards
were permitted to plant it till the reign of the
H 3 emperor
I50 The WONDERS or
emperor Probus, who was fenfible, that the pro-
motion of agriculture ought to be infeparable
from a good government. Vines were at length
propagated through all France and Spain j the
German nations on the banks of the Rhine fol-
lowed the example ; and by degrees they were
planted in all countries where there was any pro^
bability of their fuccefs*.
The fpecies of Vines are almoft infinite, and
the manner of their culture is difFerent in diffe-
rent countries. The plant itfelf is naturally weak,
but nature has furniflied it with fmall tendrils
which
* It appears by experience, that Vines are capable of be-
ing cultivated in England, fo as to produce large quantities
of grapes, and thofe ripened to fuch a degree, as to afford a
i'ubilantial vinous juice j nor does it leem fo much owing to
the inclemency of our air, as to the want of a juft culture,
that our grapes are generally inferior to thofe of France. Se-
veral of our vineyards have fucceeded to admiration, parti-
cularly that at Bath, which is planted with white mufcadine
and black clutter grapes, and v^hich (tho' not above fix or
feven acres of ground) yielded in the year 1736, no lef«
than fourfcore hogfheads of excellent wine.—- It is to be ob-
ferved, that the forward grapes are fitteft for the Englifh cli-
mate.
f The contrivance of tendrils or clafpers is various in
various kinds of vegetables, but admirable in ail. Thofe of
ivy are covered with hair, and what is yery remarkable, they
yield a glutinous humour, by which they adhere clofely to
ftones, &c. In this plant they not only ferve for fupport,
but for a fupply of juice 5 for as ivy mounts very high, and
is of a ccmpaft fubliance, the fip would not be fufiicienlly
fin nifted to the upper Iprouts, without thefe allifted the mo-
ther-root. Sometimes cla/pers ferve for fiipport only, as
thofe of the Vine, briony. Sec. whofe branches being long
and flender, would be weighed down by their own load, and
that of their fruit, were it not for thefe clafpers, which, by a
natural fpire or circumvolution, catch hold of any adjacent
body. This fort of affiftance, " fo nicely accommodated
to the indigence of fome helplefs vegetables, and not to
be met with in any others, is a manifeft indication (as
NATURE AND ART. 151 i
which it clafps round bodies that occur in its
way, and fupports itfelf by their afliftance. In
France it is raifed on a fingle prop ; but in fome \
countries it is cuftomary to fupport it by a ftrong i
reed, a pole, or wooden forks. It is common ia i
Greece and Italy to train up the Vines to elms %
along the branches whereof they extend them- j
felves unreftrained, and gradually afcend to the
top. In Afia, where they have feveral fpecies of
very large grapes, they difpofe their Vines oa \
raifed works of lattice, which form fo many ar-
bours, under which the natives enjoy a refrefh-
ing {hade. In a word, the inhabitants of each ]
country pradlife fuch methods as they think are
Dr. Derham obferves) of their being the contrivance and |
work of the Creator, and that his infinite wifdom and care \
condelcends even to the fervice and well-being of the
meaneft, moft weak, and helplefs infenfitive part of the
creation."
* This was an ancient pra6lice in Italy, as appeai s from |
many paflages in the clalficks, particularly Virgil, who de- !
/bribes it in the following lines : j
" ' ■ Supereft « \
Turn la^es calamos^ & rafa haft ilia njirga,
Fraxineafque aptare fudesy furcafque hicornes^ i
Virihus eniti quarum & contemnere centos, \
AJfuefcanty fummafque fequi iabulata per ulmos, \
Georg.L. U;
The next precaution of his rural cares '
A range of reeds and forked props prepares : )
On thefe the Vines their clafping progrefs form, i
And brave the rigours of each rifmg florm 5 \
Afcend the hofpitable Elm, and Ipread, \
Their fwelling clufters o'er its verdant head. :
tt Is certain however, that thofe Vines which run at liberty j
upon high trees, and are never pruned, afford the fmalleft !
v/ines 5 thofe that are tied to (lakes about four feet high, and
are duly pruned, yield ftronger wines j and thofe yetllronger
that are kept nearer the ground. j
H 4 beft !
152 The WONDERS of
beft adapted to their neceffities ; but none fecm
to be better acquainted with the management of
the Vine, and conducing theprocefs of a vintage,
than they are in feveral provinces of France, efpe-
cialJy in Champagne and Burgundy.
The Vine fhould never be planted in fuch
ftrong foils as are fit for corn, but in one that is
thm and light, rather dry than moift, and inter-
mixed with gravel ; and the declivity of a hill, ly-
ing to thefouth, is the beft fituation for a vineyard.
The propagation of the Vine by flips or cuttings,
which fhould ftand two or three years in a nurfery
before they are tranfplanted into the vineyard; and
it may likewife be propagated by layers, that is,
hy benr]ing fuch of the fineft fhoots as fliould
otherwife be pruned ofF, and burying the old
wood in a little trench, while that which is
young rifes above the furface. Some Vine-
dreliers think the fpring is the only proper feafon
for pruning ; but thofe who perform that opera-
tion immediat ly after the fall of the leaf will be
convinced of the advantage of it the enfuing year.
Thofe Vines in France that are fuffered to Iboot
to the height of five or fix feet are laid down in a
trench once in fifteen years, and covered with
earth ; and three or four of the fineft flioots are
extended in little trenches on each fide, in order
to furnifti fo many layers. This is done in No-
vember y and the old wood, by thus exerting it-
felf in afreftifoil, refumes a new vigour. But
the Vines of low growth, which produce the beft
wine, and are not permitted to afcend above three
feet atmoft, are laid in the earth every year, but
not fo deep as the former. The depth to which the
high Vines are laid in the ground, makes it unne-
ceflary to furnifti them v/ith new earth ; but the
low Vines muft have a fupply every twelve or fif-
teen
NATURE AND ART. 153
teen years. A moderate quantity of dung fhould
likewife be applied to Vines every feventh year
where the foil is very light, and every twelfth year
where it happens to be ftronger. The propereft
time for training Vines to their prop, is when the
flowers are juft appearing; and about the fame
time the ends of the branches fhould be cut off,
and the little fhoots retrenched that rile from the
bottom and fides of the ftock. It is alfo necelTary,
at different times, to clear away the weeds that
fpring about the ftems of Vines, whereby the earth
is either chilled or impoveriflied.
When the grapes are ripe, thofe who are curi-
ous in their wines make three different gatherings,
firft chufing the bunches that are moft ripe, and
have the feweft, but fineft grapes, and are careful
to pick off all rotten or fcorched berries, together
with fuch as have been pierced by infeds. In
the fecond gathering they pick off the large thick -
ciufters, that are not quite fo ripe as the others ;
and laftly, thofe that are green, withered, or rot-
ten. Each of thefe gatherings are preffed fepa-
lately,, and what difference there muft be in the'
wine may be eafily apprehended. The grapes
intended for white wine are preffed immediately
after they are gathered ; but thofe for red wine
are not preffed till they have been trodden, or
fqueezed between the hands; and the fkins and
pulp have flood together in the vat to acquire the
requifite tinfture. And here it may be worth
obferving, (what many people are not acquainted
with) that all white wine is not made from white
grapes ; but the very befl and whiteft wine, even^
that of Champagne, which has the complexion of
cryftal, is produced by the blackefl grapes.. The
wine of thefe grapes, if not bruifed^ nor heated
much by the fun after they are gathered, but im-
iL 5 mediately/
154. The WONDERS of
mediately carried to the prefs, will be perfe£lly
white; but the wine produced by the fecond,
third, fourth, and fifth preffings, v/ill be gradu-
ally reddened, as the prefs operates more eiFeftu-
ally on the (kin of the grape : and therefore the
grapes for red wines are trampled and thrown into
the vat before they areprefled, (as above obferved)
it being found by experience, that the complexion
of thofe wines is paler or deeper, according as the
juice of the fkins is intermixed with that of the
pulp in a lefTer or greater degree.
The wine being drawn out of the vat, and
diftributed into proper veflels, is fuffered to fer-
ment in the air for fome days, which are more or
lefs according to the ripenefs of the grapes, and the
temperature of the feafon. Then the veflels are
gently flopped, fo as to let the moft fiery particles
of the wine exhale for fome time ; after which it
is lodged for the winter in an upper cellar, from
whence it is removed into lower vaults as foon as
hot weather returns, but is kept there no longer
than theclofe of autumn. — As to the management
of wines in the cellar, the manner of drawing them
off from the lees, the expedients ufed to fine them
down, &c. the particulars are too many, as well
as too foreign to our purpofe, to be here related.
The Olive-Tree claims our attention in the
next place, and perhaps fome may think we ftiould
have given it the preference to the vine, as it yields *
an oil of almoft univerfal ufe in food, medicine,
and the manufactures. It thrives to perfection in
the fouthern parts of France, particularly in Pro-
vence, the oil of which country is by fome pre-
ferred to that of Spain or Italy. The leaves of
the olive-tree very much refemble thofe of the
willow; and its fruit, which has a ftone in it, is
about the fize of a fmall nutmeg. The olives,
• whillt
NATURE AND ART. 155
whilft upon the tree, are exceeding bitter ; but
this bitternefs is corrected by the method of cur-,
ing fuch as are preferved for mating. Thofe in-
tended for this ufe are gathered long before the
olives are fit to yield their oil, and laid to fteep
for fome dajs in frefh water ; after which they
are put into a lye made of afties and lime, and
then removed into a liquor of water and fait, with
which they are put up into little barrels to be fent
abroad. To give them a fine flavour, they throve
over them an efl[ence compofed of cloves, cinna-
mon, coriander, fennel, or other aromatics ; for
this is a fecret amongft thofe who deal in olives,
in which indeed lies all the difficulty of the pre-
parntion. — To extract oil from olives, they are
bruifed under a mill-ftone, and reduced to a pafte ;
which being mixed v/ith hot water, and after-
wards preffed, the oil fwimming uppermoft is eafily
feparated. This is what we call Sallad Oil, and
in thofe countries where olives grov/, it is coni#,
monly ufed inftcad of butter, of which they have
Sio great plenty.
W E fliall finifh this article with the Larch-
Tree, which is pretty much like the fir, and very
ufeful in building, being almoft as durable as ce-
dar. It grows on many of the mountains of Dau*
phine, and it is faid, that about Brian^on they
gather a kind of manna that falls upon its leaves
in the night-time; but this is one of the pretend*
ed wonders of that province. This hov/ever is
certain, that it produces agaric *, a fort of fun-
* Agaric grows chiefly on the larch-tree, but is alfo foimJ
on feveral others. This of Dauphine is not fo good as that
brought from the Levant, which is found in Mufcovy and
Tartary. It is hght, fniooth, brittle, of a bitter tafte, and
was a medicine in great repute among the ancients, but is
almoU banilhed out of theprefent pru^ice,
H 6 . Ijous
J56 The WONDERS or
gous excrefcence, growing on its trunk or large
branches, which is of ufe in phyfic, and in dying
fcarlet.
ANIMALS.
THOUGH the Silk-Worm is not originally
a native of France, nor even of Europe,
yet, as the French breed and manage them verjr
fuccefsfully in their fouthern provinces, and have
brought their filk manufactures to great perfeftion,
we think this is not an improper place to give an
account of that wonderful and profitable infedl.
It was not till the year 555, or thereabouts, that
two Greek monks, returning from the Indies ta
Conftantinople, brought with them a number of
Silk-Worms, and alfo inftruftions for hatching
their eggs, rearing and feeding the worms, draw-
ing out the filk, &c. upon which manufadlures
were fet up at Athens, Thebes, and Corinth.
In the twelfth century, Roger king of Sicily efta-
blifhed a manufactory at Palermo, and another
in Calabria, having brought workmen from the
cities of Greece, which he had conquered in his
expedition to the Holy Land ; and by degrees the
reft of Italy, as well as Spain, learned the art from
the Sicilians and Calabrians. In the reign of
Henry II. the French began to imitate their
neighbours, and with good fuccefs ; and our king
James I. was very dcfirous of having mulberry-
trees planted, and filk-worms propagated in Eng-
land, where, from various experiments, it appears
they will thrive and work as wtll as in any other
part of Europe.
This infeft, from a fmall egg,, about the fize
of a pin's head, becomes a pretty large worm or
maggot, of a v/hitifli colour inclining to yellov/*
la this ilati^ it feeds cn mulberry-leave^^ till being
com e
NATURE AND ART. 157
come to maturity, it winds iffelf up in a filken
bag or cafe, about the fize and fliape of a pigeon's
egg, and is metamorphofed into an Aurelia*.
I'hus it remains without any figns of life or mo-
tion, till at length it awakes to become a butter-
fly, after making itfelf a pafTage out of its filken
fepulchre. It dies at laft, having by its egg or
feed prepared itfelf for a new life, which the
warmth of the enfuing fummer enables, it to re-
fume. — But to be a little more particular.
There are two methods of bringing up thefe
curious infeds, either by letting them expatiate
at full liberty on the mulberry-trees that nourifli
them, as is pra£lifed in China and other hot
countries ; or elfe (as is cuftomary in Europe)
by keeping them in rooms furniftied for that pur-
pofe with a fort of hurdles made of ofier twigs,
which are fixed in horizontal ranges one above
another ^ and under every range there is a floor,,
which, like the bottom of a cage, may be drav/n
out at pleafure. Over thefe hurdles are ftrewed
mulberry-leaves, upon which the infefts feed ;
and they are fupplied with frefti leaves ev^ery morn-
ing. The leaves fhould be gathered in a dry
feafon, and kept in a place where no moifture can
* The terms Amelia, Chryfalis, and N5'mpha5 are ufed
by naturalilts to fignify very near the fame thing. As feveral
infe61s undergo a change of form, they Teem to pals through
an intermediate ftate, to acquire a new conception and a le-
cond birth j being for this end wrapped up in a fort of cafe
or foldage, that varies according to the nature of the animal.
In this Itate the infe6l is called a Nymph, which fignifies a
Young Bride, either becaufe it is veiled or covered from the
fight, or becaufe it then puts on its moft beautiful attire.
The term Chryfalis, or Aureiia, is moft applicable to thofe
infefts whofe films or coverings in this ftate are tinged with a
j^ellowifli or golden colour. — Some apply the word Nympha
to in feels whilfl: in the egg, and others as long as they retain,
Ike form of worms or mjigsots,
come*
158 The wonders of
come. In fir\e weather frefti air fliould be let into
the room from time to time, and great care taken
to keep the place as neat as pollible, particularly
to cleanfe the floors appointed to receive the frag-r
ments of their leaves and other impurities j for
cleanlinefs and good air contribute greatjy to their
grov^^th and welfare.
The worms are hatched in boxes lined with
linen or paper, over which it is ufual to fpread
fome foft mulberry-leaves ; and from hence, when
they have gained a little ftrength, they are re-
moved to the ranges of hurdles above-mentioned.
When the filk-worm leaves its little egg, it is per-
feftly black, but its head is of a more fhining
fable than the body. In a few days it affumes a
w^hitifli hue, or an afti-grey; after which its coat
fullies, and becomes ragged, at which time the
animal cafts it off, and appears in a new habit.
As it increafes in bulk, it grows whiter, but a
little inclining to a green ; till ceafing to feed,
and fleeping for alnioft two days, it divefts itfelf
of its (kin a fecond time, and appears in its third
habit ; its colour, head, and whole form, being
fo much changed, that one would take it for an-
other animal. It now begins to eat again, and
continues to do fo for fome days, when it relapfes
into its former lethargy, at the conclufion of which
it once more quits its covering ; and having con-
tinued feeding fome time longer, at length it re-
nounces all feafting and fociety, and prepares for
a retirement, by building itfelf afilken cell of an
admirable ftru£ture and beauty.
The beginning of this curious work looks like
confufion, being only a fort of down or flue to
keep off the rain, nature having ordained them to
work upon trees in the open air, though we now
bring them up in the houfe. This is the infect
firlt
NATURE AND ART. 159
fii ft day's employment : on the fecond it forms its
ball or cone, almoft covering itfelf over v^ith filk ; 1
and the third day it is quite hid, and the reft of |
the operation becomes invifible ; but it continues 1
fpinning for feveral days, till the cone is brought ;
to perfedion ; and then folding itfelf in a fort of ;
fhell, formed of a lefs delicate filk, intermixed ;
with a glutinous matter, it takes its repoie. Hav- '
ing remained in this ftate fifteen days, or three
vv^eeks, and fometimes longer, it is converted into
a perfedl butterfly, w^hich forces its way out at the
fmall end of the cone, that being not fo ftrongly i
cemented, nor fo exadlly clofed as the reft of the i
covering. '
Before the butterfly leaves its apartment, it 1
frees itfelf of all that fuperfluous humidity which |
had been ferviceable to it in its former ftate ; by ,
which evacuation the filk is foiled and damaged,
as well as by the opening the creature makes for *
its efcape. To prevent this, the cones defigned \
for ufe are expofed to the heat of the fun, or laid
in an oven, by which means the infect is deftroyed [
before it comes to the ftate of a butterfly 5 thofe I
only being permitted to arrive to that maturity, j
which are defigned to lay eggs for a future ftock -
of filk-worms 3 and a fmall number is fufficient
for this purpofe, fince one female fly fometimes
lays above five hundred eggs.
In order to wind off^ the filk, the down is clear- i
ed away in the firft place, and the cones thrown i
into a copper of warm water, where they are 1
ftirred about with fmall twigs bound together, '
and cut like bruflies ; by which means the ends of 1
the filk being difengaged, are apt to catch on the
twigs, and fo are drawn out and fattened to the j
reel ; eight, ten, or twelve of them, being joine4 ■]
together, according as they would make a weaker
i6o The WONDERS or
or a ftronger thread. The workman then gives
motion to the reel by turning the handle, guides
his threads, fubftitutes new ones when any of
them break, and ftrengthens them where necefia-
ry, by adding others, till the filk is exhaufted*.
Then the cones, after opening them with fciflars,
and taking out the infects, (which are of fome
life for the feeding of poultry) are fteeped three
or four days in water, which is changed every
day to prevent their ftinking ; and being thus
foftened, and cleared of their gummy matter,
they are boiled in a lye of afhes well ftrained,
then wafhed in a river, and dried in the fun.
Thus prepared, they are carded like wool, and
yield a kind of filken flax, which is fpun with a
wheel, and woven into ftufFs of an inferior value.
To what we have faid concerning the Silk-
worm, it will not be improper to fubjoin a fliort
account of the Silk of Spiders, which the French
have had the curiofity to manufacture into gloves
and ftockings. The difcovery is owing to M,
Bon, a member of the academy at Montpellier,
who in the year 1710 publifhed a diiTertation on
the fubjedljwherein he reduces all the different forts
of fpiders to two principal kinds, viz. fuch as have
long legSjand fuch as have {ho:-t ones, which lafl: are
thofe that furnifli the filk. Thefe animals fpin their
filk out of the anus, around which are five papillae^
orfmall nipples, whereby the threads are formed,
* Some who have conddered attentively the finenefs and
length of the thread which the filk-worm fpins, think they
fpeak within compals, when they affirm, that each ccne or
ball contains filk enough to reach the length of fix Engli/h
miles. This however is ceitain, that an img^enious perfon
having mealured the filk drawn fi-om cne of thefe balls, it
was found to be a great deal above three hundred yards, and
yet weighed but two grains and a h;^]:. ^ See Boyle de
$ubtilit/Effluv. C. 2,
fomo
NATURE AND ART, i6i
Tome weaker and fome ftronger, according to the
life for which they are defigned. The weaker forts
of threads are thofe which ferve to make their webs,
in which they catch flies ; but they fpin a much
ftronger kind, wherein they wrap up their eggs,
and by that means preferve them from the cold,
and from fuch infects as would deftroy them.
Thefe threads they wind very loofely round the
eggs, refembling in fliape the balls or bags of filk-
worms that have been prepared and loofened for
the diftafF. Having colleded twelve or thirteen
ounces of thefe bags, M. Bon had them well beat-
en for fome time v/ith the hand and a fmall ftick
to get out the duft. He then wafhed them in
warm water, changing it feveral times till they left
the water very clean, and afterwards laid them to
fteep in a large vefTel with foap, falt-petre, and
gum arabic. Then letting the whole boil toge-
ther two or three hours over a gentle firejhe wafhed
them again with warm water to free them from
the foap, and laid them to dry fome days to fit
them for carding ; which was performed by the
filk-carders, but with cards much finer than ordi-
nary. By this means he had a filk of a particular
afh-colour, which was eafily fpun, and the thread
was ftronger and finer than that of common filk.
Of this he had ftockings and gloves made, and
found that three ounces of it would make a pair
of ftockings for the largeft man, whereas thofe
of common filk weigh feven or eight ounces.
The poffibility of making this filk being
fhewn, the only difficulty lies in procuring a fuf-
ficient quantity of fpiders' bags ; which would be
no difficulty at all, if we had the art of breed-
ing them as they do filk-worms ; for fpiders mul-
tiply much more, and are not fo fubjedt to difeafes.
M» Bon, who kept a great number of young
fpiders
i62 The WONDERS
fpiders in paper coffins and pots covered with pa-
per pricked full of pin-holes to give them air,
obferved, that of feven or eight hundred fcarce
one died in a year, v^^hereas of a hundred filk-
worms not forty lived to make their bags. This
gentleman procured his fpiders in the months
of Auguft and September, at which time their
eggs are hatched, the old ones that laid them dy-
ing foon after.
FpvOM M. Bon's experiments It was at firft fup*
pofed, that great advantage might have been made
of thefe infefts ; but M. Reaumur, who was ap-
pointed by the Royal Academy of Sciences to
make a farther enquiry into this new manufadlure,
has left us no hopes of its ever turning to any ac-
count. The natural fiercenefs of the fpiders (he
obferves) renders them unfit to be bred and kept
together ; for having diftributed four or five
thoufand into diff'ereut cells, fifty in fome, a hun-
dred or two in others, where they were fed with
flies and the bloody ends of young feathers, the
large ones eat the little ones, fo that in a ftiort
time they were almoft every one deftroyed ; and
to this inclination of devouring one another, we
may in fome meafure afcribe the fcarcity of fpi-
ders, confidering the number of eggs they lay.
It is therefore impolTible to eftablifh thefe crea-
tures into a community ; and were it practicable,
it would require too much room and application,
becaufe a much greater number of fpiders than of
filk- worms would be necefiary to produce the
fame quantity of filk ; befides that the fpider'sbag
is inferior to that of the worm both in luftre and
ftrength. According to M. Reaumur's compu-
tation, 2304 worms will produce a pound of filk ;
and as he reckons the work of twelve fpiders only
equals that of one filk-worm, a pound gf filk would -
require
NATURE AND ART. 163
'require 27,648 fpiders ; nay, he fuppofes double
that number muft be kept for that end, as the
bags are onlyfpun by the females.
We might here defcribe the delicate and won-
derful texture of the fpider's web, and her man-
ner of weaving it ; but as every one has an op-
portunity of making his own obfervations on
thefe matters, we fliall pafs them by, and only
take notice of an admirable faculty fome fpecies
of thefe infeds are endued with of conveying
themfplves from one place to another, which per-
haps may be unknown to many of our readers.
The fpider having a mind to change its fitua-
tion, hangs perpendicularly by a thread, and,
turning its head towards the wind, (hoots out fe-
veral others from its anus, like fo many darts,
which being wafted to and fro by the air, faften
on trees, walls, or other folid bodies. If the in-
fect perceives they are faft, which ftie tries by
drawing them in with her feet, flie makes ufe of
them asa bridge to pafs to the placewhere they are
fixed. But this is not all; for it has been obferved,
that fpiders fometimes dart out threads to the
length of feveral fathoms, and then, breaking
the thread which they hung by, let themfelves
loofe, and are carried fwiftly through the air,
feizing (as is fuppofed ) on gnats and other in-
fers in their paflage. In autumn the air is often
filled with thefe floating threads, which unite^
lengthen, and ftick to every thing in their way ;
and this feems to be the chief feafon of the fpiders
failing in this manner, though they dart their
threads at other times, and breaking them off,
let the wind carry them away *.
AN-
* The darting of fpiders was perhaps known to the Anci-
^ts, as njay be conje^Slured frgm fgme hints in Ariftotle and
PU»y i
164 The WONDERS of
A N T I Q^U I T I E S.
Tl/TANY parts of France abound with curious
■ monuments of antiquity ; and particularly
at Nifmes, a very ancient city of Languedoc,
there are ftately remains of a Roman amphithe-
atre which is counted the fineft monument of
the kind now extant, and was built in the reign
of Antoninus Pius, who contributed a large fum of
money towards its erection. It is of an oval
figure, one thoufand and eighty feet in circumfe-
rence, capacious enough to hold tv/enty-three
thoufand fpedlators. fhe architecture, fays
Dr. Smollet, is of the Tufcan order, fixty feet
high, compofed of two open galleries, built
one over the other, and confifting of fixty Arcades.
The entrance into the Arena was by four great
gates with porticos ; and the feats, of which there
were thirty, rifing one above another, confifted
of large blocks of ftone, many of which are ftill
remaining. Above the north gate are two bulls,
cut in alto relievo, extremely well executed, em-
blems, which, according to the cuftom of the
Pliny ; but as to their failing through the air, it feems to have
been firfl- obferved by Dr. Hulfe or Dr. Lider, in the laft cen-
tury. The latter, in a letter to Mr. Ray, fpeaking of the
height that fpiders are able to fi/ to, fays, that in 061:ober
(1670) talcing notice that the air was very full of webs, he
immediately mounted to the top of the higheft fteeple on
the Minfter [in York] and could there difcern them yet
exceeding high above him. See Derham's Phyfico-Theoi.
p. 363.
* The difference between a theatre and an amphi-
theatre is this } the former was almoft femicircular, and in-
tended for plays or dramatic performances j the latter wis of
an oval figure, like two theatres joined together, and was
built for exhibiting public fhews to the people, fuch as the
combats of gladiators, wild beafls^ &c.
Romans,
NATURE AND ART. 165
Romans, fignified that the amphitheatre was
ereded at the expence of the people. In other
parts of the ftrudlure is fome work in bafib re-
lievo, and heads or bufts, but indifferently carved.
This amphitheatre ftands in the lower part of
the town, and ftrikes the fpedator with awe and
veneration. The external architedure is almoft
entire, but the Arena is filled with houfes. This
ftrudlure was, in the beginning of the fixth cen-
tury, fortified as a citadel by the Vifigoths, who
railed within it a caftle, two towers of which are
ftill (landing, and encompafled it with a broad
and deep ditch, which was filled up in the thir-
teenth century, in all the fubfequent wars, to
which this city was expofed, the citizens fled to
it as a place of ftrcngth ; whence it luftained
a great number of fuccellive attacks, fo that its
prefervdtjon is almoft miraculous. It i'> however,
likely to fuffer much more from the Gochic ava-
rice of its own citizens, fome of whom are muti-
lating it every day for the fake of the itoncs,
which they employ in their own private buildiiigs.
There are alfo in France the remains of feverai
other amphitheatres, particularly of one at Peri-
gueux, in Guienne, another at Chalons, in Bur-
gundy, at Aries in Provence, and at Vienne, in
Dauphine.
A BUILDING at Nifmes, called the Maifon
Carre, exhibits the moft exquifite beauties of
archite6lure and fculpture. This edifice is fup-
pofed to have been erected by the emperor Adrian,
who actually built a Banlica in this city, though
there are no veftiges of it remaining : but an in-
fcription built on the front of this aoble ftruilure
plainly proves, that it was eredled by the inhabi-
tants of Nifmes, in honour of Caius and Lucius
Qsefar, the grandchildren of Auguftus, by his
daughter
i66 The WONDERS op
daughter Julia, the wife of Agrippa, This* fine
edifice, which ftands on a pediment fix feet ^
high, is eighty- two feet long, thirty-five broad, i
and thirty-feven in height, without reckoning
the pediment. The body of it is adorned with i
twenty columns, engaged in the wall, and the
periftyle, which is open, with ten detached pil-
lars that fupport the entablature. They are i
all of the Corinthian order, fluted and embel- !
lifhed with the moft exquifite fculpture : the
frize and cornice are worthy of admiration,
and the foliage is efteemed inimitable. The pro- '
portions of the building are fo happily adjufted, j
as to give it an air of majefty and grandeur, 1
which the nicefl: fpedator cannot behold without 1
emotion, Mr. Smollet, on mentioning the or-
naments of the building, fays, they are indeed fo j
exquifite, that you may return to them every day ;
with a frefh appetite, for feven years together; and <
that what renders them the more curious is their
being ftill entire, and very little affedled, either \
by the ravages of time, or the havock of war.
CardinalAlberoni declared, that this ftrufture was \
a jewel that deferved a cover of gold, to preferve i
it from external injuries. ^
There are here alfo noble remains of Roman \
Baths, and near them are the ruins of an ancient
temple, which according to tradition was dedi- '
cated to Diana : but connoifieurs obferve, that '
all the ancient temples of that goddefs were of ' ]
the Ionic order, whereas this is partly Corin-
thian, and partly Compofite. It is about feventy
feet long, and thirty-fix in breadth, arched above, [
and built of large blocks of ftone, joined toge- i
ther with great exactnefs, though without any ce-
ment : the walls are ftill ftanding, with three
great tabernacks at the farther end, fronting the '
NATURE AN-D ART. 16/
entrance. On each fide are niches, in the inter-
columinatlon of the walls, with pedeftals and
fliafts of pillars, cornices, and an entablature,
which fhew the former magnificence of the build-
ing.
Among the antiquities of France, we ought
not to forget the famous Pont du Garde, which
ftands on the right hand, about the diftance of a
league from the poft-road from Montpellier to
Mifinez, and about three leagues from the laft
city ; which, though raifed in the Auguftine age,
by the Roman colony of Nifmez, to convey a
ftream of water between two mountains, for the
ufe of that city, Mr. Smollet fays, is as frefli as
Weftminfter-bridge, the climate being either fo
pure and dry, or the free-ftone with which it is
built, fo hard, that the very angles remain as
acute as if they had been cut laft year. Indeed,
he adds, fome large ftones have dropped out of
the arches; but the whole is admirably preferved,
and prefents the eye with a piece of architefture
fo unaffe6ledly elegant, that he fays, he will defy
the moft phlegmatic and ftupid fpe£lator to behold
it without admiration. It crofles the river Gardon,
which is a beautiful ftream, rolling over rocks,
that form a number of pretty natural cafcades,
and is overftiadowed on each fide with trees and
flirubs, which greatly add to the rural beauties of
the fcene. This work confifts of three bridges,
or ranges of arches, one above another : the firft
of fix, the fecond of eleven, and the third of thir-
ty-fix. The height, including the aqueducl on
the top, amounts to a hundred and feventy-four
feet, and the length between the two mountains,
extends to feven hundred and twenty-three. It
is of the Tufcan order, but its fymmetry is in-
conceivable. By fcooping the bafes of the pilafters
i68 The WONDERS op
of the fecond tier of arches, they had made a paf-
fage for foot-travellers : but though the ancients,
fays the above author, far excelled us in beauty,
they were inferior to the moderns in point of con-
venience. The citizens of Avignon have, in this
particular, improved the Roman work with a new
bridge, conftru6led on the fame plan with that of
the lower tier of arches, of which indeed it ap-
pears to be a part, affording a broad and commo-
dious paffage over the river, to horfes and car-
riages of all kinds.
In feveral cities of France we alfo find the re-
mains of triumphal arches, which it was the cuf-
tom of the ancients to eredl, not only to adorn a
triumph on returning from a victorious expedition,
but to preferve the memory of the conqueror to
pofterity. There is one of thefe at Rheims, in
Champagne, confifting of three arches, with
chamfered columns, and adorned with bafs-reliefs.
The middle arch, which is the largeft, is thirty-
five feet high and fifteen wide, having on it the
figure of a woman with two Cornucopias * in her
arms, which perhaps were intended to denote the
fruitfulnefs of the country : four children about
her exprefs the four feafons of the year, and the
twelve months are reprefented by fo many proper
fio-ures. On one of the fide-arches we fee the
ftory of Romulus and Remus fucking the wolf,
* The Cornucopia, according to the fi6lion of the an-
cient poets, fignifies a Horn, out of which proceeded plenty
of aJl things, given by Jupiter to his nurfe Amalthea, in
reward of her fervices; tho-gh fome apply it to the horn of
Achelous, faid to be broken oF by Hercules, underftanding
thereby his (topping a branch of that river from fpoiling the
country, and the fei tility wiiich thereupon enfued. In ar-
chiie6lurc and fculpture, the Cornucopia is reprefented under
thefigvire af a large horn, out of which iffue fruits, flowers, &c.
attended
NATURE AND ART. 169
attended by the fliepherd Fauftulus and his wife
Acca Laurentia : and on the other arch is Leda
embracing Jupiter transformed into a fwan, and
a cupid lighting them with a flambeau — One of
the prefent gates of the city of Orange was a
triumphal arch, erected by C. Marius, on account
of a vidlory obtained over the Cimbri and Teu-
tones, who made an inroad into Italy. Here are
alfo the ruins of a Roman Circus *, and divers
other remains of antiquity.
Near Autun in Burgundy are feveral ancient
columns and pyramids ; but of all the curioficies of
this kind in France, there are nonefo much admired
as a fine obelifk f of oriental granite J at Aries in
Provence, which is fifty-two feet high, and feven
in diameter at the bafe, and yet all but one ftone.
It lay hid many ages in the ground in a private
garden near the Rhone, till the magiftrates caufed
it to be dug up in the year 1675, and erefted in
the city, of which it is one of the noblefl: orna-
ments.— At Autun we likewife fee the remains of
a temple of Janus, now called the Janitoye; and
the ruins of other heathen temples are to hQ found
in feveral other parts of the kingdom.
* The C'lrcl were large {lru6lures, geneiRjlyof an oblong
or oval figure, built for the celebration of feveral forts of
games or exercifes, viz. wrcftling, boxing, fighting with
fwords, ftave=;, or pikes, throwing the difcus or quoit, racing
on foot, on horfeback, or in chariots, Sec,
-f An obelifk is of a quadrangular figure, not very broad
at the bafe, but growing narrower and narrov.-er to the top»
which terminates obtufely, and not in a point. The differ-
ence between obeli fks and pyramids, according to fome, con-
lifts in this, that the latter have large bafes, and the former
very fmall ones.
J This is a very hard fort of marble, fo called from its be-
li\g fpi inkle(j over with a great many little ftains, refcmblin
grains of fand.
Vol. I. J " I-C
I70 The WONDERS or
It would be tedious to enumerate the remains
of aqueduds^ public baths, and other Roman
ftruclures ; and therefore, to the monuments of
antiquity already mentioned, we fhall only add
that large round buckler of mafTy filver, (be-
ing twenty inches in diameter, and weighing
twenty-one pounds) which was fiflied out of the
Rhone near Avignon in /6' 5. It is above 1900
years old, and is charged with Scipio Africanus,
half-mantled, attended bv Roman officers, and
the Spaniards fupplicating for a fair virgin ; it be-
ing; confecrated to that virtuous general upon his
reitoring a beautiful captive to Allucius, prince of
Celtiberia, to whom fhe was efpouled.
BUILDINGS.
WE fhall begin this article v/ith the cathe-
dral of Notre Dame at Paris, not becaufe
it is the fineft Pcruclure of that kind, but becaufe
it {lands in the metropolis of .the kingdom. It is
an ancient Gothic building, faid to have been
founded by king Childeric in the year 522, and
finiflied by his fucceflbrs ; but it is rather ftrong
than magnificent. It is built in the form of a
crofs, has a fmall fpire in the middle, and at the
weft end two large fquare towers flat at top,
with galleries round them on the outfide. The
ftatues of twenty-eight kings of France are
placed in a row of niches on the front ; and the
roof:> which is very lofty, is fupported by a hun-
dred and twenty large pillars. In the choir there
are a great many fine paintings, rich tapeftry, and
abundance of gold and filver plate for the fervice
of the altars. The high altar, is compofedof the
fineft Egyptian m^^rble, and in fliort the whole
^hoir is beautified in an e^itraordinary manner^
whether
NATURE AND ART. 171
whether we regard the richnefs of the materials,
or the excellency of the workmanfhip.
The cathedral of Sens in Champagne, which
is dedicated to St. Stephen, is a large and ftacely
edifice, remarkable for the figures that adorn its
front, and its two lofty towers. The infide is ad-"^
mired for its rich chapels, its ancient tombs, and
particularly for its high altar, at the foot of which
is a table of gold, enriched with precious ftones,
reprefenting in bafs-relief the four Evangelifts, and
St. Stephen on his knees.
The cathedral of Rheims in the fame province,
is a very fine building, though in the Gothic
tafte ; the architefture is delicate, and the gate
and portico are reckoned the moft ftately in the
whole kingdom. It is alfo famous on account of
its being the church where the French kings arc
ufu ally crowned and anointed by the archbifhopof
that city.
At Rouen in Normandy, the cathedral church,
dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a vaft and beau-
tiful ftrufture, having three lofty towers, on one
of which is a tall wooden fpire, covered with gilt
lead, that makes a pretty appearance. Over the
great gate is a triumphal arch in honour of king
Henry the Fourth, with emblems of his victories
over the Leaguers, who are reprefented gnawing
their chains. In this church are many magni-
ficent tombs of the ancient dukes and arch-
bifhops, and alfo that of John duke of Bedford,
who was regent of France under Henry VL of
England. But the moft remarkable thing of all
is the famous great bell that hangs in one of the
towers, which is thirteen feet high, and weighs
about forty thoufand pounds.
The cathedral at Lyons, dedicated to St. John,
is a magnificent and venerable fabric i and the
I z front
172 The WONDERS of
front of the high altar, which ftands in the middle
of the choir, was formerly adorned with abundance
of fine images, moft of which were defaced during
the civil wars. This church has long been famous
for the furprizing mechanifm and motions of its
clock, which is placed in an ille near the choir.
On the top of it ftands the figure of a cock,
which every three hours claps his wings and crows
thrice; whilft a door opens on one lide in a gal-
lery underneath, out of which comes the Virgin
Mary, and from a door on the other fide an angel
meets and falutes her. At the fame time a door
opens above, from whence the form of a dove, re-
prefenting the Holy Ghofl:, defcends on the Vir-
gin's head. After this they retire, and from an-
other door comes the figure of a venerable father,
lifting up his hands, and blefiing the people. The
days of the week are reprefented by feven figures,
each of which takes its place in a niche on the
morning of the day it reprefents, and continues
there till midnight, when it retreats and is fuc-
ceeded by another. There is likewife a very fingu*
- lar curiofitv belonging to this clock, viz. an oval
or elliptical plate marked with the minutes of an
hour, which are pointed to by a hand reaching
the circumference, and which infenfibly exterids
and contrails itfelf during its revolution, fo as
txaftiy to fit the ihorteft as well as the longefl
diameter. But the reader mull fuppofe this is
rather an account of what the clock has been for-
merly, than what it is at prefent, many parts of
it through length of time beii>g much impaired
There
^ This clock was repaired and improved by one Nouri-
fon in 1 66 1 J but it was contrived long before th^t time by
Nicholas Lipp, a native of Bafil, vAiO finifhed it in 1 598.
After this, it is ftid, he had his tyQs put put by the magiA
Nature and art. 173
There is another cathedral that deferves to
be mentioned, namely, that of Strafburg in Al-
face, which, though formerly a part of Germany,
is now annexed to the dominions of France, and
therefore belongs to this chapter. It is certainly
one of the fineft churches in Europe, and its
fteeple is a noble pyramid, faid to be five hun-
dred and feventy feet high : but this is almoft in-
credible. In this church there is a clock, which
is looked upon as a mafter-piece of aftronomy and
mechanics, and, when in its perfe£tion, feems
not only to have exceeded that at Lyons, but per-
haps had not its fellow in the world for the va-
.rietyof its figures and motions, many of which
are now entirely flopped, or much out of order.—
The bafis or foundation as it were of this curious
machine confifts of three plates, a fquare one oa
each fide, and a round one in the middle. This
round one has three circles, one within another,
two of which are moveable, and the third fixed.
The outermoft is ten feet in diameter, and turns
about once in a year, fhewing the months and
days. The circle within this, whofe diameter is
a foot lefs,. was made to turn round in the fame
time, and fhew the vigils and feftivals ; which it
did during a whole century, but is flopped at
prefent^ The innermofl ferves only for an orna-
ment, containing a reprefentation of Alface and
the city of Strafburg, and is therefore immove-
able. The two fquare plates ufed to point out
the eclipfesof the fun and moon, but they do not
now perform that fervice. — Above thefe three is
trates of Lyon?, that he might neverbe able to make fuch an-
other J but this ftoiy is entirely ground i el's. — The elliptical
minute-motion was invented by M. Servier, and is of a
later date,
I 3 another
174 The WONDERS of
another large plate, in the middle of which is an
aftrolabe fliewing the courleof the heavens, with
the four Seafons painted round it. There is alfo
a dial-plate which fliews the hours and minutes;
and underneath it the feven days of the week, re-
prefented by the feven planets, pafs by turns in a
chariot. Here is likewife a face of the moon,
fliewing its age and different afpedls. — In the
third or uppermoft part of this machine are four
figures, reprefcnting the four ages of man's life,
which come and llrike on fmall bells every quar-
ter of an hour. A cock made of metal ftands
on the top of an arch, ftretches out his neck, and
proclaims the hour by crowing. Then comes
Death, driven away by Chrift rifen from the
dead, who neverthelefs permits him to ftrike the
hour, that men may rem*ember they are mortal. ~
This wonderful piece of machinery was finifhed
in the year 1573, but who was the artift that con-
trived it is unknown.
From the churches we proceed to take a view
of fome of the royal palaces, and firft of the
Louvre, which is the chief ornament of Paris,
This {lately palace is fituated on the river Seine-,
but has never been finifhed according to the ori-
ginal defign. The weft front was erefted by
Lewis XIIL who built a large pavilion, in form
of a dome, over the gate, fupported by two rows
of pillars of the Ionic order. In the middle of
the eaft front, which was built at a vaft expence
by Lewis XIV. and is a hundred and feventy-five
yards in length, is the principal gate, with a por-
tico fupported by forty Corinthian columns. The
apartments within are anfwerable to the noble ap-
pearance of the building v/ithout ; but we fliall
not attempt a more particular defcription of this
palace,
NATURE AND ART. 175
palace, as great part of it was burnt down a few
years ago.
The Louvre has a communication with arf-
other beautiful palace called the Tuileries, by a
gallery built by Henry IV. which fronts the river,
and is reckoned the fineft in Europe. It is about
450 yards long, and ten yards broad, and is filled
with exquifite panitings and fcuiptures. Under-
neath this gallery is the royal printing-houfe, and
the apartments of the king's painters, engravers,
carvers, and other ingenious artificers. The pa-
lace itfelf is one range of building, with a fquarc
pavilion at each end, and a dome in the middle ;
and the whole is adorned with columns, pilailers,
and other proper ornaments. The gardens be-
hind it are exceeding beautiful, and towards the
river there is a fine terrace planted with rows of
trees, near 600 yards in length, and tv/enty-
eighth in breadth, from whence there is a de-
lightful profpeft over part of the city and the
^idjacent country.
But of all the royal palaces there is none fo
defervedly admired as that of Verfailles, about
nine miles from Paris ; which from a fmall caftle,
or rather country-houfe, built by Lewis XHL for
a hunting-feat, is now become one of the moft
magnificent palaces in the world. It ftands on a
rifmg ground in the midft of a valley, furround-
ed with little hills, at an agreeable diftance. The
avenues to it are very fine and fpacious, particu-
larly that on the fide towards Paris, which con-
fifts of three walks formed by rows of elms, the
middle one fixty feet wide, and each of the fide-
walks thirty. This avenue ends in a large fquare,
which has a fountain in the middle of it j and
from thence we afcend to the great court of the
I 4 palace.
176 The WONDERS of
palace, which is 480 feet long, having on each
fide apaiiments for the fecreiaries of ftate, and
other great officers of the crown. Out of this
court there is an afcent of three marble fteps into
another lefs than the firft, which is likewifc
adorned v/ith a fine fountain ; and from thence
v/e afcend by five fteps into a third court flill lefs
th^^n the former, which is paved with black and
white marble, and has a marble fountain and ba-
ion in the middle, with ftatues of gilt copper.
This court is terminated by the royal palace, in
the front of which there is a ftatcly portico fup-
ported by. eight marble pillars of the Doiic order,
iind three iron doors richly gilt and wrought, by
which we enter into the hall and faloons, and
from thence proceed to the aparments on the right
and left. The principal ftair-cafe, which con-
fifts of the fineft marble, is ten yards wide, and
is adorned with admirable paintings and fculp-
tures. Throughout this palace indeed there is a
vaft variety of moft beautiful marble ; and in ge-
neral the rooms are very lofty, and richly fur-
niflied, the Xedfteads and tables in fome of them
being of rriaflTy filver, or materials of equal value.
It is obfei'vable, that the nearer we come to the
king's apartments, the more fumptuous are the
marble, fculptures, paintings, and furniture. The
king's bedchamber is adorned with excellent
carvings, all gilt on a white ground ; and the
bed, which is of crimfon-velvet embroidered
with gold, is placed in a fort of alcove, wherein
are two figures of Fame reprefented fitting, and
France in the fame pofture, feeming to watch for
the prefervation of her monarch. On one fide of
the bed is the pidlure of David playing on his
harp, and on the other St. John in the illand of
Patmos. Tliere are other fine paintings in this
chamber,
NATURE AND ART. 177
chamber, particularly one of Hagar in the defert,
with her fon and an angel.
The front of this palace, that looks towards
the gardens, is the inoft beautiful, having a portico
a hundred yards long, paved with marble, and
fupported by marble pillars. Here we fee the fi-
gures of the twelve months of the year; and in
the embofled works that adorn the front, are fta-
tues of little children, employed in exercifes proper
to the feafons they reprefent. On this fide is a
noble gallery, above feventy yards long, which
has a fine profpeft over the gardens, and is filled
with a great variety of bufts and ftatues. On the
cieling the battles and principal a£lions of Lewis
XIV. with other memorable occurrences of his
reign, are curioufly painted. The cabinet of
rarities is of an odtogonal figure, in which we fee
a furprizing colleftion of curiofities in agat, cry-
ftal, jewels, medals and other antiquities, with
feveral paintings by the greateft mafters. Every
thing, in ftiort, that we caft an eye upon in this
palace, is fumptuous and beautiful ; and we fhould
far exceed our limits, if we fhould barely enume-
rate the many fine paintings and antique ftatues
with which the apartments abound. The halls of
Plenty, of Venus, and of War, are all adorned
with excellent paintings ; and in this laft we like-
wife fee the bufts of fix Roman emperors, in por-
phyry, with a drapery of gilt brafs, placed on pe-
deftals of oriental alabafter. — The Chapel is per-
fectly anfwerable to the magnificence of the reft of
the palace ; and the very ftables, for conveniency,
beauty, and architedure, far exceed any in Eu-
rope, and are fuperior to many royal palaces.
. What we have faid may give the reader fome
faint notion of this majeftic. edifice ; but we muft:
not leave it without taking fom« notice of its
I 5 beautiful
178. The wonders of
beautiful gardens, which may be reckoned among
the modern wonders. Coming down from th^
terrace, we meet with two bafons, wherein are
feveral watcr-fpouts or Jets d'Eau, (as the French
call them) and in the middle of each is a colleftion
of fpouts in the form of a wheat-fheaf, which
throw up water to the height of nine and twenty
or thirty feet. The borders of thefe bafons are
adorned with feveral groups of brazen figures,
reprefenting river nymphs, Cupids, &c. In the
angles of this parterre are two other bafons of
marble, wherein the fpouts form two fine flieets
of water, and upon the borders are feveral figures
of animals, made alfo of brafs. Below thefe ba^
fons is another very fine one, in the middle of
which is the figure of Latona, with her two child-?
ren, Apollo and Diana. She is fuppofed (ac-
cording to the ftory) to have made her complaints
to Jupiter of the ill treatment fhe met with from
the peafants of Lycia, who. for their punifhment,
are here reprefented as metamorphofed into frogs^
which throw out above feventy fpouts of water.
The figures are of white marble, and the whole
is reckoned an excellent piece of fculpture. There
are many other fountains, cafcades, &c, the beauty
of which can fcarce be conceived by any defcrip-
tion ; but what is moft admired, is the grand ca-
nal, fixteen hundred yards long, and fixty-four
broad, at each end of which is a large bafon of an
oflogon figure, and in the middle it is interfered
by another canal about two hundred and fixty
yards in length. Upon this noble canal the court
ibmetimes divert themfelves in yachts and galleys.
The Labyrinth, or Maze, is a fine grove, fo called,
becaufe it is difficult to find one's way out of it;,
the walks being fo interwoven with each other.
At the entrajice we meet with two ftatues, the
gne
NATURE AND ART. 179
©ne of iEfop, and the other of Cupid, Iiolding a
clue of thread in his hand, intimating to the llran-
ger the neceffity of fuch a guide to prevent his be-
ing loft in the many intricate windings of the
place. The whole is adorned with flatues and
fountains, and particularly a bafon of curious
ftiell-work, wherein one of iEfop's Fables is repre-
fented in the nioft natural manner. — The Orangery
or Green-houfe is a noble piece of architefture,
confifting of feveral galleries, of which the largeft
is above four hundred feet long, and thirty broad,
and all of them adorned v/ith beautiful columns of
the Tufcan order. Before this. Green-houfe is a
fine parterre, with a fountain in the middle of it,
where the water is fpouted up to the height of
forty feet , and the whole parterre is adorned with
rows of columns, groups of figures, ftatues, vafes^
and other ornaments.
It would be going far beyond our bounds, to
mention every thing worth obferving in thefe de^
lightful gardens ; but there is one particular more
furprizing than any we have yet taken notice of,
viz. the manner whereby they are fupplied witl\
water from the Seine, which is four or five miles
diftant. This is done by a wonderful engine
ftaading on a branch of that river, whofe ftrearn
turns feveral large v^heels, which fet two hundred
pnd twenty-five pumps a-going ; and by this
means the water is raifed up into a tower upon a
hill, above an hundred and twenty yards higher
than the river. From hence it runs along aa
aqueduct of thirty-fix arches, and from thence is
conveyed through large pipes to the refervoirs of
Marli, another royal feat, remarkable for its fine
cafcades and other water-works ; all which, as well
as thofe of Verfailles, are fupplied from thefe rer
fervoirs, fo that the canals, bafons, &c. are alwayiJ
X 6 Ml
i8o The WONDERS of ]
full in the drieft feafons Lewis XIV. had a ^
dcfign of conveying the water of the river Eure to \
Verfailles, and accordingly caufed prodigious works
to be begun near Maintenon in the year 1684, i
which were difcontinued in 1688, on the breaking j
out of the war, and have been left unfinifhed* !
The magnificent aqueduft ere£led on this occa-
Jion, confifting of 242 arches, is yet ftanding,
and is perhaps the nobleft in the world.
In the Park of Verfailles is another palace,
called Trianon, which is a genteel and magnifi-
cent flrufture, the architecture and ornaments be-
ing in a fine tafte. The front is about a hundred ;
and twenty-eight yards in length, and the court i
before it is adorned with a noble periftile fupported \
by marble columns and pilafters. The two wings |
are terminated by two pavilions, and the whole
building is crowned with a baluftrade adorned
with ftatues and urns. In the apartments are fine
piftures, and the furniture is very fumptuous. ,
The gardens are here likewife embelliflied with \
bafons, cafcades, and groups of figures, done by 1
the beft mafters. i
Marly is another royal feat, delightfully fitu-
ated in a park contiguous to Verfailles, it having. |
a fine profpedt of the caftle of St. Germain, and \
of the neighbouring country. This palace confifts j
of a large pavilion, which ftands detached from
any other, and of twelve fmaller ones, fix on each
* As the conveying the water of the Seine to Verfailles at •
nrfl coft immenfe fume, fo the keeping this famous machine
of Marli in repair, is faid to be attended with an annual ex- 1
pence of at leaft 2 5,000 pounds fterling. And this has givea 1
a modem hiiloiian occafion to obferve, that Lewis XIV, \
fnewed his grandeur, or rather his vanity, by making choice
cf a place which had no water near it, to ere6> the fineft wa- ^
ter-works in the world, which nothing but a boundlefs tiea- \
fure could have efFe^ed.
fide, J
NATURE AND ART. i8i
fide. The outfide of the large one is adorned
with paintings in Frefco, and the fteps are em-
bellifhed with the figures of fphinxes^ groups of
children, and vafes.
The Great Hall is adorned with fixteen pi-
lafters, paintings, and fine looking-glafles ^ and
in the apartments of the king, and thofe of the
royal family, are beautiful pi&ures, reprefenting
the fieges carried on by Lewis XIV, The fmall
pavilions are joined to each other by arches, thro'
each of which you enter a little arbor. In thefc
pavilions are apartments for perfons of quality*
In the gardens is a large cafcade, which is pro-
perly a river falling from a very high place, and
forming beautiful ftieets of water. At the bottom
are feveral bafons, adorned with groups, ftatues,
&c. The fide of the parterre fronting the large
pavilion, affords a moft extenfive and beautiful
profpect. From this parterre you defcend to an-
other, adorned with marble ftatues and a bafon in
the middle, which has a number of water-fpouts,
forming a wheat-fheaf. Beyond this is a large
bafon furrounded with walks and grafs-plats. In
going ftill farther down, you meet with two other
bafons, embellifhed with fliell-work and groups
of figures in white marble. The water falling
out of thefe bafons forms feveral fheets, and enters
another below. Among the other pieces of wa-
ter is another cafcade, which pours down a fteep
hill into a large bafon, in the midft of which is a
fmall one of gilt brafs, fupported by three Tritons
of the fame metal.
The Palace of Fontainbleau is 35 miles to the
fouth-eaft of Paris, and confifts of feveral fets of
buildings added to one another at different times,
without any order or fymmetry, which form a
confufcd mafs of various kinds of architedure ;
yet
i82 The -iVONDERS of
yet this very confiifion has an air of grandeur that
fir ikes the eye. It is furrounded by a large foreft,
"'in which the court frequently takes the diverfion
of hunting.
The room, in which the king dines in public,
has a very fine cieling, and noble picSlures, repre-
fenting Temperance, Fortitude, Juftice, and Pru-
dence i and the other rooms are likewife adorned
with paintings.
In the largeft room of this palace, is a chimney-
piece built by Henry IV. twenty-three feet high, and
twenty wide, adorned with four lofty Corinthian
columns of fpotted marble, with the bafes and ca-
pitals of white marble. In the midft of the chim-
ney-piece is a table of black marble, on which
ftands an equeftrian ftatue of that prince, and un-
derneath are two baflb relievos, one reprefenting
the furrender of the city of Mante, and the other
the battle of Ivry. Two marble ftatues, repre-
fenting Loyalty and Peace, ftand on each fide of
this figure j and facing the chimney is a noble
Theatre.
The galleries of this palace are very fine. A-
mong the reft a Stag-gallery along the orangery
is worthy of particular notice, on account of its
being adorned with views of all the royal palaces,
between which areftag's-heads fetoff with branches
of a very uncommon fize. Under each flag's head
is an inscription, fliewing in what wood, and by
what king, the ftag was killed, many of them be-
ing introduced fpeaking, and politely faying.
King Charles, Henry, or Lewis, did me the
honour of taking me.'' In the gallery of Diana,
is the picture of Henry the Great in a hunting-
drefs; and the difterent kinds of hunting in whichf
he delighted are reprefented in feveral paintings^
twelve feet high, and twenty broad.
Near.
NATURE AND ART. 183
Near this gallery is a large and beautiful
Aviary, ninety feet in length, and nine in breadth.
In the middle is a large dome, under which is an
artificial rock made of fhell-work, from which
iifues feveral fprlngs, the water running through
many little channels made in the ftone pavement
along the whole aviary.
The garden is adorned with ftatues and foun-
tains, the largeft of which is in the midft of the
garden, and called the Fountain of the Tiber,
from that river being reprefented in brafs. Be-
yond it are a grotto and cafcades ; and at the en-
trance of the park is a fine canal, fix hundred fa-
thoms long, and twenty broad ; it is all lined
with ftone, and has a fountain at each end.
The palace of Muden ftands in the midft of a
foreft, about five miles to the fouth-eaft of Paris,
and has a noble avenue leading to it, thxee quar-
ters of a mile in length. At the entrance of the
court is a large pile of buildings on the right, and
another on the left, which open in the form of a
femicircle, but are disjoined from the body of the
houfe. In the middle of the front is a lofty ad-
vanced building, entered by three doors, and a^
bove it runs an order of architecture, confifting
of arches and columns finely defigned. Above
them is another order, accompanied with pilafters^
The wings are not fo high as the principal builds
ing, and each of them is terminated by a fquare
pavilion. The front,, towards the garden, alfo
confifts of a lofty advanced building, with wings
confiderably lower, which terminate on the right
and left in two pavilions of the fame height as the
i>ody of the building. The infide of this palace
* 4s adornt d with a fine colle6lion of ftatues^ paint-
ings, medals, and other antivjuities. The gar-
'dens are much admired for thei\' iuie walks, par-
" terres;^
i84 The WONDERS of
ferres, and water-works ; and adjoining to them
is a fpacious park encompafTed with a brick wall,
and adorned with woods, bafons, and refervoirs of
water. Thefe woods are cut through, in order
to form beautiful avenues; among which is one
diftinguiflied by the name of The Dauphin, which
leads to the gates of Paris.
We (hall now proceed to the defcription of a
ftru£lure of a very different kind, but too remark-
able to be omitted, viz. the famous Bridge over
the Rhone at St. Efprit in Languedoc, which
is reckoned one of the fineft in Europe, This
bridge is of ftone, and of a great length, confid-
ing of twenty-fix arches, whofe feet or piers are
fecured by two pedeftals that furround them, which
have their projeftures, like rows of fteps or flairs,
the lov/ermoft proje6ling moft, the others lefs by
degrees. Above thefe are feveral windovv^s or
fmall arches, which divide the feet of the great
ones, and reach as low as the plane of the upper-
moft pedeftal. As the Rhone is a very rapid river,
this bridge is admirably contrived to withftand its
violence ; for the unequal juttings of the pedeftals
ferve gradually to break the force of the ftream,
and when the flood fwells fo high as to cover
them, (which it frequently does) the fmall arches
or openings in the piers give a free paffage to the
avater, which might otherwife endanger the fabric,
Befides, the bridge is not ftrait, but bent in feve-
ral places, forming unequal angles, which are
greateft where the current is ftrongeft, and there-
by its fury is oppofed and broken ^. Dr. Smollet,
* The biidge at Lyons, over the fame river, has an angle
in the middle pointnig towards the ftream, the better to l ellit
its violence ; and this contrivance is to be obferved in fome
other bridges. It is faid the great pier in the middle of Lon-
don bridge was intended to keep the whole fabric fteady, and
to fiipply the want of fuch an anglcr
mentioning,
NATURE AND ART. 1&5
mentioning this bridge, obferves, it is a great cu-
riofity, from its length, and the number of its
arches ; but thefe arches are too fmall ; the paf-
fage above is too narrow ; the whole appears to
be too flight, confidering the force and impctuofity
of the river ; and that it is not comparable to
Weftminfter-bridge, either for beauty or folidity.
The Bridge of Boats at Rouen is a curiofity
that defcrves to be mentioned, with which we fhall
conclude this article. It is about 26c yards long,
paved with ftone like a ftreet, and rifes and falls
with the tide, or as land-waters fwell the river*
Carriages with the grcateft burdens pafs over it
with fafety, the boats being very firm, and well
moored with ftrong chains; but it is now grown
old, and requires a great deal of money to keep it
in repair.
Arts, Manufactures, Inventions, &c,
THE care and application of the French m.i-
nifters to promote the Manufactories of their
country, and turn every article of their commerce
to the national advantage, is very remarkable,
and worthy of imitation. It was M. Colbert,
that great encourager of the mechanical as well as
liberal arts, who prevailed with Lewis XIV. to
eftablifh the manufactory of the Gobelins* at Paris,
for the making of tapeltry and other furniture for
the ufe of the crown. The Louvre, the Tuileries,
and other royal palaces, being compleated under
^ The houfe where this manufatlory is carried on belonged
to two brothers, Giles and John Gobelyn, wiio firft brought
to Paris the fecret of dying that beautiful fcarltt colour (till
known by their namej and Lewis XIV. having purchafed
tliis houfe to fet up the tapeftry manufa6]urc, he gave it, by
an edi(51, the name of Hotel Royal des Gobelins,
the
i86 The WONDERS of
the direction of that minifter, he began to think
of making furniture fuitable to the grandeur of
thofe buildings, and with this view he got toge-
ther the ablett workmen from all parts of the
kingdom, particularly painters, tapeftry-makers,
fculptors, goldfmiths, embroiderers, &c. and by
offers of money, penfions, and privileges, he in-
vited others from foreign nations. Having per-
fuaded the king to purchafe the houfe of the Go-
belins for them to work in, he drew up a fyftem
of laws for their regulation and encouragement,
one of which prohibited the importation of tapeftry
from any other country. Ever fmce this manu-
fa6lory was. fet on foot, it has been the moll: ce-
lebrated of the kind in Europe, having produced
fuch a quantity of the fineft work, and fuch a
number of excellent wor men, as is almoft in-
credible; and in effedt, the prefent flourifhmg
condition of the arts and manufadlures of France
is in a great meafure owing to this eftablifbment*
Their particular glory is their beautiful tapefiry,
which they have made to a degree of perfe£lion,
not inferior to what was anciently done by the
Englifh and Flemifli The battles of Alexan-
der, the four Seafons, the principal adions of
Lewis XIV. done from the defigns of M. Le Brun,
with other fine pieces which this manufactory has
* The invention of tapeftry Teems to have come from the
Levant, being probably learnt there by the Englifh and Fle-
inilli in fome of the croifades or expeditions againft the Sara-
cens. Be this as it will, it is certain thofe two nations,
efpecially the Englifh, were the firft who fet on foot this
noble rHanufa6liire in Europe 5 fo that if they are not allowed
to be the inventors, they have at leall the honour of intro-
ducing arnonglt us fo cviriousand admirable an art, as gives
a kind of life to wool and filk, not to be exceeded by the
fineit paintings.
produced.
NATURE AND ART. 187
produced, are fome of the nobleft ornaments of
the royal palaces.
Th^: French have alfo confiderable manufac-^
tories of tapeftry at Aubuflbn, Felletin, and Beau-
vais ; and at Arras in Artois they are noted for
their fine tapeftries, commonly called Arras Hang-
ings : but of all the Flemifti manufaftories, thofe
of BrufTels and Antwerp are the belt, where they .
lucceed wonderfully either in human figures, in
animals, or landfcapes, and that both with re-
fpecl to the workmanfliip and the defign.
There are two kinds of tapeftry, one of the
High Warp, the other of the Low Warp ; tho'
the diflxrence is rather in the manner of working,
than in the v/ork itfelf, the looms of the former
being upright, whereas thofe of the latter are flat
or parallel to the horizon. The loom for tapeftry
of the High Warp confiftsof four principal pieces,
viz. two upright planks or cheeks, and two thick
beams or rollers placed acrofs them, the one at
top, the other at bottom, about a foot from the
ground. The warp, which is a fort of worfted
or twifted woollen thread, is wound on the upper
roller, and the work, as faft as it is wove, is
wound on the lower. When the loom is mounted
with its warp, the pattern or defign to be repre-
fcnted on the tapeftry is placed clofc behind it,
and on the fore-fide of the warp (/. e. that which
is to be the right fide of the piece) the contours
or outlines are drawn with a black-lead pencil, fo
that the ftrokes appear both before and behind.
This done, the pattern is wound on a long ftaff,
and hung up behind the workman, who unrolls
a piece of it from time to time as the work pro-
.ceeds. Every thing being prepared, the workman
places himfelf on the wrong fide of the piece, and
•with a broach or fliuttle paflTes the filk, worfted,
or
i88 The WONDERS of
or other materials of the woof between the threads
of the warp, which he brings acrofs each other
with his fingers, and ftrikes the woof clofe with
a comb of wood or ivory. Thus he proceeds,
changing his colours according to his pattern, and
now and then going to the other fide of the
loom to view his work, and corre6l the contours
by preffing them clofer with a needle, if there be
occafion. — This manner of v/eaving tapeftry is
very tedious, and is therefore almoft every where
laid afide
The frame for the low warp (which is the
method now chiefly in ufe) is much like a weav-
er's loom, confifting of two ftrong pieces of wood
which form the fides, and bear a roller at each
end, on the farther whereof the warp is wound,
and the work, as it advances, on the nearer.
The defign or painting to be imitated by the
workman is placed underneath the warp, fo that
he can fee the figures through it ; and being feat-
ed on a bench before the loom, he takes a flute,
as it is called, (which does the oiiice of afliuttle)
mounted with filk or worfted of fuch a colour as
his piece requires, and having pafl^ed it among
the threads of the warp, which he raifes or lowers
by means of treddles, &c. he beats the woof clofe
* M. Le Blon contrived a new way of we.iving tapeftiy
in the loom with a draw-boy, which may be performed al-
moft as expeditioufiy as fine brocades ; for when the loom is
once fet and mounted, any common draught- v/eaver, tho*
not acquainted vv'ith dr ;.wing or paintinfr, nay, hardly know-
ing what figure he is about, exaflly produces what the pain-
ter has reprefented in the original pattern : and thus a piece
of tapedry may be wove in a month or two, which in the
common wiy of working (almoft as tedious as needle-
woik it/elf) would take up fevcral years; and what has
ufunJly coft a thou fand pounds may by this means be afford-
ed finer and better fgr a hundred,— See PhiU Tranf. No 4-J 9*
with
ISTATURE AND ART. 189
with the reed or comb, which has ufually teeth on
each fide, and is made of wood or ivory as above
mentioned. — One thing is very remarkable in the
weaving of tapeftry, viz. that it is all wrought
with the wrong fide towards the workman, who
in this laft method of working does not fee the
right fide of his piece till it be finiftied and taken
off the loom.
Amongst the other manufa£lures of France,
that of lil^^ is one of the moft confiderable, tho'
i?ot fo flourifhing as it has been formerly. When
the manufadlures of Lyons were in their greateft
profperity, it was computed that eighteen thou-
fand looms were employed in weaving filks in that
city and its neighbourhood ; but in the year 1698
the number was reduced to about four thoufand.
Lyons however is ftill noted for its filk manufac-
tures, particularly its tafFeties, which are remark-
able for their fine luftre. Odavio May, of Ly-
ons, is faid to have firft difcovered the method of
giving taftetles this beautiful glofs, the occafion
of which is thus related. Odavio, going back-
wards in the world, was one day mufing on his
misfortunes, and happened to have in his mouth
fome hairs of filk, which he kept chewing till his
reverie was over. Upon fpitting out the filk it
feemed to fhine, which engaged his attention,
and led him to refled on the reafon. After a good
deal of thought he concluded, that the luftre of
the filk muft proceed firft, from his having prefled
it between his teeth ; fecondly, frora its being
wet with his faliva, which had fomething gluti-
nous in it y and, thirdly, from its having been
heated by the natural warmth of his mouth. By
a proper ufe of ihefe obferyatlons, he found out
^he means of producing the fame efFed upon the
Jiext taffeties he made, and thereby foon acquired
190 The WONDERS of
vaft riches to himfelf, and to the city of Lyons
the reputation it ftill maintains, of giving a bet-
ter glofs to tafFeties than any other city in Europe.
The machine invented by 0£lavio for this
purpofe is much like a filk loom, having a beam
at each extremity, between which the tafFety is
ftretched to take the glofs or luftre. This is
given it by rubbing it gently with a liquid pre-
paration as it is rolled from one beam to the
other, whilft at the fame time it is dried by a
charcoal fire placed on a carriage underneath it.
The glofs is given to black taffeties by beer and
orange-juice boiled together ; but for coloured taf-
feties they ufe gourd-water diftilled in an alembic.
Within lefs than a century paft the French
have greatly improved their woollen manufafture,
which is chiefly owing to the inftru£lions of fo-
reigners who have fettled amongft them, and the
clandeftine exportation of wool from England.
In the year 1665 Mr. Van Robets, a Dutchman,
fet up a manufactory of woollen cloth at Abbe-
ville in Picardy, which fucceeded fo well, that
the cloths made there are faid to be little in-
ferior to thofe of England or Holland. Lewis
XiV. gave great encouragement to this manu-
factory, granting Robets and his people feveral
privileges, and particularlythe liberty of import-
ing whatever was neceffary for their purpofe with-
out paying any duty. — Abbeville is alfo confider-
able for its manufactures of linen, iail cloth,
foap, and fire-arms. — And having mentioned
linen, we ought not to forget the curious manu-
facture of fine lawn, called Cambrick, from
Cambray, the capital of a province in the French
Netherlands, which is hardly to be equalled in
any part of Europe,
NATURE AND ART. 191
Towards the end of the laft century the
French made a great improvement in the glafs
manufadlure, by inventing a method to caft very
large plates, till then unknown, and fcarce prac-
tifed yet by any but themfelves and the Engliflj,
The invention is owing to the Sieur Abraham
Thevart, who firft propofed it to the court of
France in 1688, where he met with the en«
couragement he deferved. By this method (which
is fomething like the cafting of flieet<lead among
the plumbers) we are not only enabled to make
looking-glafs-plates of more than double the di-
menfions of thofe made the Venetian way of
blowing, but alfo to caft all forts of mouldings,
borders, and other ornaments. The chief, if
not the only manufactory of this kind in France,
is at the caftle of St. Gobin, three leagues from
Laon, where the number of furnaces, forges,
work houfes for fmiths, carpenters, &c. together
with apartments for thefe and other workmen
employed about the glafs, appear more like a town
than a manufactory.
The melting-furnaces ufed in this manufac-
ture are of a vaft fize, and thofe for annealing
the glafTes when formed are ftill larger. Round
a melting-furnace there are at leaft twenty-four
annealing furnaces or ovens, which are called
carquaffes, each having two tiflarts or apertures
to throw in fuel, and two chimnies ; and be-
fides thefe, there are furnaces for making frit*,
and
* This name is given to the matter or ingredients whereof
glafs is to be made, when calcined or baked in a furnace,
after which they are more readily melted and turned into
glafs. The materials ufed in the compofition of glafs arc
fait, and fand or ftone. The fait is of the fixed kind, fuch
will not evaporate with the moft intenfe heat 5 and is pro-
cured
192 The WONDERS of
and calcining old pieces of glafs. The infide of
the furnaces is made of a fort of earth that is
able to fuftain the a£tion of the fire, and the
melting-pots and cifterns are made of the fame.
Thefe pots are as big as hogfheads, containing
above two thoufand weight of metal ; fo the
workmen call the melted matter of which the
glafles are formed. The cifterns are much fmal-
ler, and ferve for the conveyance of the liquid
glafs, which is taken out of the pots, to the
cafting-table. Such is the violence of the fire,
that the furnaces are repaired every fix months,
and feldom laft longer than three years, being then
rebuilt from top to bottom. — When the furnace
is heated to a proper degree, they fill the pots
with materials, which is done at feveral times to
facilitate the fufion ; and when the matter is
melted, fettled, and refined, which is common-
ly in four and twenty hours, they fill the cifterns
with it in the fame furnace, where they let them
cured chiefly from the afhes of a plant called Kali, glafs-
weed, or falt-wort, which grows plentifully in Egypt and
Syria, and alfo on the coafts of Provence and Languedoc.
The fait extra6led from the afhes of a fpecies of kali growing
about Alicant in Spain is reckoned the befl, and is ufed in
making the plate-glafs here defcribed. The afhes of feni
alfo yield a fait that makes excellent glafs 5 and thofe of
bean-ilalks, coleworts, brambles, rufhes, and many other
plants, may be ufed for the fame purpofe.— As to flone, the
other ingredient in glafs, the belt is that which will eafily
melt, is white, and tranfparent ; and this is found princi-
pally in Italy, being a fort of marble called Tarfo. No-
thing indeed makes finer and clearer glafs than flint, but it is
feldom ufed becaufe of the charge of preparing it. The
preparation neceffary for flone is to calcine, powder, and fift
it ; but where proper flone cannot be had, fand is ufed,
which is to be well wafhed, and needs no other preparation.
Our glafs-houfes are fumifhed with white fand for their cryf-
tal glaffes from Maidftone, and with a coarfer fand for green
glafs from Woolwich,
rcmaift
NATURE AND ART. 195
iscmain about fix hours longer, till they appear
all white with the exceffive heat. By means of
pullics and a large iron chain the cifterns are
raifed out of the furnace, and placed upon a fort
of carriage, whereby they are conducted to the
table where the glafs is to be run. This table or
mould is of pot- metal, about nine feet long,, and
broad in proportion, having iron rims or rulers
on the edges of it, which being moveable, fo as
to be fet clofer or farther apart at pleafure, de-
termine the width of the giafles. Upon thefe
rulers reft the extremities of a brafs roller, by
means of which the burning liquid, wheii pour-
ed upon the table from the ciftern, is equally
fpread from one end to the other, and rendered
cf an uniform thicknefs. When the glafs is
come to a proper confiftence, they Hiove it off in-
to the annealing furnace, and fo continue calling
other plates till the pots of metal are.exhaufted ;
removuio; the table from one annealino; furnace to
another, asfaft as they are filled, where the plates
remain ten days or longer, and by the gradual
decreafe of the heat they are equally confolidated
in every part. It is really furprizing to behold
with what quicknefs and addrefs the workmen
go through this dangerous bufmefs, how they
raife the cifterns full of flaming matter out of the
furnace, convey them to the table, pour out the
fiery torrent, fpread the glafs, &c. In fliort, the
whole is inconceivable to fuch as have not been
eye-witnefles of this wonderful manufadlure.
Their manner of heating the furnaces is fo
fingular that it deferves to be mentioned. The
perfon employed in doing it runs round the fur-
nace as faft as he is able, throwing into each
aperture, as he goes along, a billet or piece of
wood cut for that purpofe j and this courfe he
Vol. L continues
r94 The WONDERS of
continues for a certain number of hours, at the
end of which he is relieved by another. This
conftant and regular fupply of fuel keeps the fur-
nace to a proper degree of heat, which is fuch,
that a large bar of iron laid at one of its mouths
becomes red-hot in lefs than half a minute*.—
It is computed that one of the melting-furnaces,
before it is fit to run glafs, cofts above three
thoufand five hundred pounds ; that three months
are required to repair it, and fix at leaft to build
it anew ; and that when a pot of metal burfts in
the furnace, the lofs of matter and time is more
than two hundred and fifty pounds.
As we are now fpeaking of glafs, it may not be
amifs to take notice of one of its mofb remark-
able properties, viz. its duftility ; for it may be
drawn or fpun out into long threads, to a degree
of finenefs almoft incredible. We have of them
in the plumes of childrens caps, and divers other
works, much finer than any hair, and which
bend and v/ave with every breath of wind. In
the fpinning of glafs two operators are employed,
one of whom holds the melted metal over a lamp,
from which the other draws a thread with a hook,
and having faftened it on the rim of a wheel, he
turns it fwiftly round till he has fpun out the
* Of all tlie efFe61s of fire on natural bodies, that of
changing them into glals is one of the moft fuiprizing. The
chyniifts hold, that there is no body but may be vitrified, i. e.
converted into glafs j even gold itfelf may be fo changed by
the intenfe heat of the fun's rays colie<5led in a large burning-
glafs. And as vitrificaticn is the efFe6l of fire, fo it is the
lail efFe61: ; its utinoft: force nctbeintjj able to carry the change
of a body any farther. Whence Dr. Merret mentions it as
a merry faying of a great artiit in the bulinefs of glafs. That
tiielr profenion would be the laft in the world ; for that v/hen
the unnvrfe Oiould be confumed by fire, all things therein
vvuuid be turned to glafs.
mafs
NATURE AND ART. 195
mafs from whence the thread is drawn. Thus
this brittle matter becomes furprizingly flexible,
which is always in proportion to its finenefs ;
and the threads of glafs may be fpun as fmall as
that of a filk-worm, or even thofe of a fpider's
web.
This naturally leads us to confider the amaz-
ing du(9:ility of gold, which exceeds that of all
other bodies, of which the gold-beaters and gold-
wire-drawers furnifh us with abundant proof, and
perhaps none are more curious in thefe works
than the French artificers, or have made nicer
obfcrvations on this fubje£l: than the philofophers
of that nation. — A gold-beater, having melted a
<juantity of fine gold, beats it on his anvil into a
plate as thin as paper, and then cuts it with his
ftieers into little pieces about an inch fquare. Thefe
he puts between the leaves of a fort of book
made of vellum, and with a hammer beats them
on a marble block, till they are ftretched out
nearly to the fize of the book. He then takes
them out, cuts them in four, and puts them into
another book to be farther extended. When
they are brought to a certain degree of finenefs in
the two firft books, they are again cut into four,
and made to undergo the fame hammering in two
others, which, as well as the former, are called
moulds; but the leaves of theff, inftead of vel-
]nm, are made of ox-guts well fcoured, and pre-
pared for that purpofe. The leaves of gold be-
ing beaten to the thinnefs required, which is
greater or lef?, according to the ufe it is intended
for, are difpoled in little paper-books, prepared
with red bole for the gold to ftick to, and thus
are kept for fale, — By this operation an ounce of
gold is beat into a furface of 146 fquare feet ; and
it has been computed, that the thiuneft parts of
iq6 The WONDERS of
fomc gold-leaves are fcarce one 36c,ccoth part
of an inch thick.
But the diftenfion of gold under the hammer
(how confiderablc foever) is far fliort of what it
undergoes in the drawing-iron. What we call
gold-wire is made of a cylindrical ingot of filver,
ufually about two feet long, and two or three
inches round, which being covered with leaf-gold,
is fucceffively drawn through the holes of feveral
irons, each (mailer and fmaller, till it be as fine
or finer than a hair of the head. The ingot paf-
fes through a hundred and forty or fifty holes be-
fore it i- brought to its utmoft finenefs, every new
hole leflcning irs diameter; but then it gains
in length what it lofes in thicknefs, and ccnfe-
qucntly increafes in furface ; yet the thin cover-
ing of gold ftill follov/s the filver in all its cxten-
(ion, and never leaves the minuteft part bare,
even to the microfcope. M. Reaumur, who has
been very curious in his calculations relating to
the duvSiility of gold o|?fervcs, thp.t an ingot
or roll oi filver weighing thirty pounds, about aa
inch and a half in diameter, and twenty-two
inches long, is ufually covered over by the wire-
<drawerswith two ounces of leaf-gold, and fome-
t:imes with little more than one ; fo that the
thicknefs ofthe gold feldom exceeds afivc-hundredtl;
* Merfenne, Furetlere, Rohault, Dr. Halley, and others,
have likewife made calculations on this fubjf6l, but M. Reau-
mur feems to have carried the matter to the greateft length.
Dr. Halley computed, that two yards of luperfine wire
weighed a grain, and that ninety-eight yards of it were covered
by a fingje grain of gold. The chameter c f fuch wire he
found to be one 386th part of rn inch, and that the thick-
nefs of the gold was not above the 134,500th part of an inch j
but this is far fhort of M. Reaumur's computation, as the
feaderwill oh^tiyt,
part
NATURE AND ART. 197 ']
part of an inch, and fbmetimes not a thouiandth. :|
The fame ingenious gentleman found, by exa£l 3
weighing, and the moft accurate computation, that ^
an ounce of the fine wire drawn from fuch an in- /
got covered with two ounces of gold, was 3232 ]
feet long, and confequently the whole ingot, j
I5rb3,520 feet, Paris meafure, which are equal
to 1,264,400 Englifh feet, or 240 miles. But i
this is not all ; for the greateft part of our gold- ^
wire is fpun or wound on filk, in order to which \
it is prefied flat between two rollers of well-po-
liflied fteel, and by this prelTure it is lengthened
above one feventh ; fo that inftead of 240 miles
we may now reckon 274. The breadth of this i
thin lamina, or flatted wire, is a g6th part of an '
inch ; and by calculation it appears, that the i
ounce of gold is thus fpread into a furface of i
1 190 fquare feet, whereas, by the gold-beater's, i
hammer, it is only extended to 146, as before ob- j
ferved. — Hov/ inconceivably thin muft the gold be
in this prodigious extenfion ! M. Reaumur found j
it to be one 2,ioo,oocth part of an inch; but
this computation fuppofes the thicknefs of the
gold to be every where equal, which is not the j
cafe, for the leaves being thinner in fome places j
than others, the gilding on the wire will be fo |
likewife; and therefore that gentleman computes ■
thegold, wherethinnefl:,tobeonly one 3, 1 50,000th
part of an inch. Yet this is not the utmoft due- «
tility that gold is capable of ; for if infl:ead of two \
ounces to the ingot (upon which this computa- ^
tion is founded) one only were ufed, the thick- J
nefs of the gold would then be no more than the
6,300,occth part of an inch in the thinnefl places, j
As amazing as this appears, the gold may ftill \
be reduced to much more excefl!ive thinnefs by j
jrepearing the preflfure between the fleel-rollers, '
K 3 and ;
198 The wonders of
and yet remain a perfect covering for the filver,
fo that the beft eye, even affifted by the beft mi-
crofcope, (as v/e have obferved above) cannot
dilcern the leaft chafm or difcontinuity.
Before we take leave of France, wf ought to
give fome account of the Sea-Salt made in that
country, which yields a vaft revenue to the king *,
imd is a very confiderable article of its commerce,
more being made there than in all Europe, or per-
haps in all the world befides. There are two
kinds of this fait; the one, which receives its
confidence from the heat of the fun, called Bay
Salt from its brownifh colour; the other called
White Salt, which is boiled over a furnace. The
firlt manner of preparation is ufed where the fea-
coaft is flat and low, the latter where it rifes in
downs or hills of fand. The moft noted coafts
for bay fait are thofe of Britanny, Saintonge, and
Aunis, efpecially the firft, there being reckoned
in the bay of Bourgneuf alone above twenty thou*
fand falt-works. The white fait is made chiefly
on the coafts of Normandy.- — The manner of mak-
ing bay fait, is by letting the fea- water into feve-
a al fquare pits or bafons, the bottoms whereof are
* Tlie Gabelle or duty on faU is faid to have had its rife
in France in 1286, under Philip the Fair; after which it was
frcni time to time augmented by fucceeding princes, till at
length Philip of Valois eftabliflied granaries and ofiicei s of the
Gabelles, prohibiting al! other perfons from felling fait : and
Since this the whole commerce of fait, for the inland con-
lumption, has lain wholly in the king's hands, who fells it
hy his farmers and officers created for that purpofe. When
the proprietors of the falt-works have dehvered to thefe officers
the quantity they are obliged to do, they fell the reft to fo-
reigners, particularly the northern nations. It is computed,
that the imports on fait make one fourth cf the revenue of the
kingdom, and yields the crown more than the king of Spain
j:eceives frora all the rich mines of his American dominions*
well
NATURE AN0 ART. 199 \
well rammed, and which have a communication
with each other by little channels, through which }
the water is admitted to the height of five or fix -
inches, after having refted two or three days in \
larger and deeper refervoirs ; and then the fiuices ^
being fliut, the work is left to the wind and fun.
The feafon for this bufinefs is ufually from the '
middle of May to the end of Auguft, when the |
fun's rays being ftrongeft, the fait is beft raifed \
and cryftallized. The water at firft thickens im- '
perceptibly, and at length becomes covered with ^\
a thin cruft, which hardening by the continuance \
of the heat, is wholly converted into fait. This |
cruft they break with poles or rakes, and the flakes i
of fait fall to the bottom of the water, which is J
then found to be exceeding hot. The flakes be- j
ing raked out, are left for fome time in heaps !
about the edge of the pit, till they arc completely
dry, and fit to be pulverized. And this brown .
fait is ufually fold without any farther prepara- j
tion, though indeed in fome places they make it 1
white by refining, that is, by boiling it in large
cauldrons. But the white fait of Normandy is- '
not made by refining the bay fait, being extra6ted i
from a muddy fand on the flats of the {hore, whitch j
the tide every day covers and impregnates with !
its waters. This fand is gathered and removed I
into pits, where the water drains from It through^
ftraw laid at the bottom, and runs into veliels fet |
to receive it. Of this water the fait is made by '
boiling it, after which they let it ftand in balkets ;
to purify, where it drains itfelf of the moifture^]
that remained, and when dry is carried to the,
magazines. \
Grfat quantities of fea-falt are exported frorrki
France in time of peace by the Englifli and Dutch^j
who^ v^hen at war with the French^ endeavour to.j
K 4 fupplyi
200
The wonders or
fupply themfelves from Spain and Portugal; but
the (alts of thefe countries have a difagreeable
ftarpnefs, and are not fo fit for faking flefh or
fiih as thofe of France, unlefs they are foftened
and corre£ied. The fait of Guerande in Britany
is preferred by the Englifh as the beft and whiteft ;
but that of Bourgneuf, though brov/ner and hea-
vier, is moft ufed in France, and alfo throughout
the Baltic, particularly in Poland, where they ufe
it to manure the ground v^hich it warms, and
preferves the grain from being gnawed by vermin*.
Of all the works undertaken by the French-,
or by any other nation, for the advantage of trade
and navigation, there is none more furprizing
than the Royal Canal of Languedoc, which is
above a hundred miles in length, and was cut in
the lail century with prodigious expence and la-
bour, to make a communication between the
Ocean and the Mediterranean, fo that merchan-
* The matters ufed for manure are various in various
countries ; the moft common are dung, lime, and mai le.
In the fouth-wefl part of Devonflilre they manure their land
with a brackifh fca-fand, which, according to Dr. Bury,
quickens dead land, fo that what would otherwife be the
b^.nenneit part of the country, is now the richeft. The fea-
iait, he obl'erves, is too ftrong and a6live of itfelf, but does
very well v/hen mingled with lime. Glauber direds the
mixture to be made up vyith water, and burnt like bricks for
about two hours; which compoft, he fays, will enrich the
pooreft land. It has been obferved, that the ground about
Nantvvich, where fait or brine is fpilt, when dug up, is an
excellent manure for pafture land ; and even bricks tho-
roughly tinged with it dilTolve and fertilize the land very
confiderably. In fome parts of Ireland they ufe fea-fheils,
as thofe of cockles, periwinkles. Sec, which are found to
agiee well with heathy, clayey, and boggy landj and the
flielis being hard, melt away flowly, fo that the manure
need not be repeated for twenty or thirty years. Thefe (hells
have been likewife uf^d in the fiawer-garden with great fuccefs.
diz9
NATURE AND ART. 201
dize might be tranfported from one fea to the
other, without the neceflity of failing round the
coafts of Spain and Portugal through the flireights
of Gibraltar. This was a convenience much
v/ifhed for, and the defign v/as feveral times
thought of in the reigns of Charles the Great,
Francis 1. and Henry IV. but was never put in
execution till the reign of Lewis XIV. M. Riquet^
an excellent engineer, had the direftion of this
great work, which was begun in i665, and finifhed
in 1^8 f. By furveying the ground, it was ob-
ferved, that the hill of Naroufe was the properefi:
place to make a bafon or refervoir of v/ater, which
was to be conveyed by one channel towards the
Mediterranean, and by another towards Touloufe,
where the river Garonne begins to be navigable.
This fpot of ground is fix hundred feet higher
than the level of the two feas, but there being
only one fpring near it, and that very infufficient
to furnifh a requifite body of water for the pur-
pofe, M. Riquet formed a vaft refervoir among
the neighbouring mountains, from whence the
water is brought by an aquedu£l to the bafon of
Narouft, which is 1200 feet long and qor broad,
and thus never fails of a fuppiy in the drieft fum-
mers. From this bafon the canal runs eaftward
to the port of Cette in the Mediterranean, and
weftward to the .city of Touloufe, where it joins
the Garonne, which river falls inco the Ocean in
the bay of Bifcay.
In the execution of this work prodigious diffi-
culties were furmounted, the unevennefs of the
ground, th mountains, rivers and brooks, which
croflTed the way, feeming to render it u:Leily rni-
praclicable. in fome places the canal is carried
over vallies and rivers by loft/ aqueduct-, ai. . ri
Others they have cut a paflage for it through rocks
K 5 and
202 The wonders of
and mountains. Above a hundred fluices have
been contrived, by which the v\^ater is confined,
and the vefiels thereby raifed from one height to
another in a furprizing manner. Thefe fluices
confift of thick w^alls running parallel to each
other, at the diftance of about thirty feet, vs^ith
ftrong gates at each end to let the water in and
out as there is occafion. To give the reader an
idea of their ufe, let us fuppofe a bark to enter the
canal from the Mediterranean, and having failed
through that part of it which runs along the plain,
to arrive at the foot of one of thefe fluices. Im-
mediately the gates are opened, and the water
rufliing out, forms one common level with that
.which is below. The veflTel being drawn in, the
gates are fhut again, and the upper ones being
opened, the water flows in, and rifes by degrees,
till the bark is mounted confiderably higher than
it was before. Then proceeding to the fecond
fluice, it afcends in the fame manner, and fo from
one to another, till it arrives at the bafon of Na-
Toufe above-mentioned, from whence it is con-
veyed down to Touloufe by the fame fort of locks
or fluices. — We may eafily conceive what vafl:
fums this canal mufl: have cofl: before it was com-
pleated, and what a confl:ant charge mufl: attend
the keeping it in repair ; and yet we do not find
that it fufficiently anfwers the purpofe for which
it was intended, the great number of fluices ren-
dering the navigation of it both tedious and ex-
peniive.
There are other works of this kind in France,
which, by uniting the navigable rivers, are of
great advantage to the inland trade of the king-
dom. The canals of Briare and Orleans, next
to that of Languedoc, are the mofl: remarkable,
having feveral fluices like thofe already defcribed.
NATURE AND ART. 203
By thefe canals a communication is opened be-
tween the Seine and the Loire, whereby Paris is
eafily farniflied with the productions of the inte-
rior parts of the kingdom, as well as the mer-
chandize of Nantes in Britanny, and a reciprocal
traffick carried on between the northern and fou-
thern provinces.
Having mentioned Nantes, It feems proper to
take notice of its excellent Brandy*, efpecially
as that liquor makes no inconfiderable article in
the French commerce. The brandies of Nantes
and Cognac are efteemed the beft in France, be-
ing of a better flavour, finer and ftronger, and
enduring the bubble-proof longer than any of the
reft f . A great number of foreign veftels return
from the ports of France chiefly laden with brandy,
though the Dutch take off almoft as much as all
the reft of Europe. It is computed, that near
200,000 gallons are annually exported from the
city of Nantes alone, and above twice that num-
ber from Bourdeaux. — As to the wines of France,
their reputation is well known s and as we have
* Brandy is a fpirlt drawn from wine by finiple diftillation,
nnd brandy purified by a fecond or more diftillations, is what
we call Spirit of Wine reflified. The chief life of brandy is
as a drink, efpecially in the northern countries of Europe ;
the favages cf Canada, and other parts of North America,
are extremely fond of it 5 and the negroes of Guinea will
fell one another for a few bottles. It is alfo of fome ufe in
medicine, being faid to ftrengthen the nerves 3 and the re(S^i-
fied Ipirit is ufed in dying.
f The beft brandy is that which is white, clear, of a good
tafte, and will bear the tell or proof, i* e, upon pouring it
Into a glafs, a little lather or froth will be formed at the top
of it, which, as it diminiOies, makes a circle, called by the
French merchants the Chapelet, and by the Englifli the Bead
or Bubble; there being no brandy but what is well dephleg-
mated, fo as to retain no faperfluous humidity, whereon the
bead will be entirely fovmed.
K 6 already
204 The wonders of
rvlready dcfcribed the manner of making them, wc
lhall only add, that befides their vaft confumption
at heme, great quantities are exported to other
countries.
Thus we have given as full an account of what
is moft remarkable in France, as our limits will
permit, and now proceed to give a concife ac*
count of the manners of its inhabitants.
Of the French.
THE French are, in general, flender, well
proportioned, nimble, and aftive ; their hair
and eyes are, for the mort part, black : they have
ufually a brown complexion, and the ladies are
fond of colouring their cheeks with red, by which
means thofe to whom nature has given an agree-
able complexion, are mingled with the ladies who
Y^znt that advantage. The common people are,
in general, fond of appearing with a fuperficial
fplendor, and, confidering their circumflances,
are extravagant in point of drefs, though, with
Ts^fpefc to provifions, they live as meanly as poffible.
The people are ufually merry, remarkably tal-
kative, and extremely vain. The climate natu-
rally gives them good fpirits, and they feldom lay
any thing to heart. Impartiality muft confefs,
that they are not deftitute of perfonal courage,
and that they have diftinguifhed themfelves with
great bravery on many occafions ; nor do they
want genius ; their ikiU in the arts has diflin-
guifiied them throughout Europe ; and the know-
ledge of the learned in fome of the fciences has
done honour to tneir country.
The bulk of the people in France know how
to live very hard ; they are far from eating the
fame quantity of flefh as the Englijfh, nor is it
ufuai
N A T U R E A N D A R 205 :
ufual to drefs it in the fame manner ; for ragouts, j
fricafees, haflies and foups, difguifed with onions, ]
herbs, roots, and fpices, are preferred before joints \
of roafted or boiled meat 5 and what they do roaft
or boil, is done fo much, that fcarce any gravy is !
left. As the flefti of their cattle is leaner and |
more ftringy than ours, they keep it for fome time, ]
not only to make it lefs tough, but to improve \
the tafte, the drynefs of the air preserving it front |
that difagreeable muftinefs v/hich ftale meat ac-
quires by the dampnefs of our climate. They \
areexceffively fond of foup, and of a difh made of ^
the hind-legs of frogs ^ and ufually eat twice the ^
quantity of bread that we do : indeed it is gene-
rally exceeding light and good. They are ftran- ^
gers to the fine fat furloins and buttocks of beef -
which grace the tables of our tradefmen in mid-
dling circumftances, and are entirely unacquainted
with the many agreeable Englifh difhes, called by i
the general name of Puddings. The wealthy, ]
however, have their tables lupplied with a num- 1
ber of luxuries of other kinds, and particularly
fweet-meats ; but the poor mechanics, and all the '
laborious part of the nation, live almofi: entirely ;
on bread, foups, and vegetables. In Lent, the '
people live much upon white kidney-beans, that \
is, the feed boiled, and on white lentiles, a kind ^
of pulfe unknown in England ; and on a variety '
of fallads, fome of which are to be found growing !
wild in almoft every field. .|
The Vv^omen, in general, behave without re-
ferve ; and the men are fo little addicted to jea- ;
loufy, that it is good manners to commend the
beauty of a woman, even before her huiband's face. '
The French now pride themfelves on their i
loyalty, and the profound veneration paid to their
prince 3 but it muft be acknowledged by thofe who i
have
2o6 The WONDERS of
have read their hiftory, that while they had any
thing to contend for, rebellions and civil wars
were as frequent in France as in any other coun-
try. They had once the privilege of making their
own laws, but their privileges have, for fomc time,
been fwallowed up by the prerogatives of the
crown; and their parliaments are of little ufe,
with refpe6l to their legiflative authority, except
in regiftering the edi£ls of the fovereign, which
they indeed fometimes remonflrate againft in a
very brave and fpirited manner, and prefent their
petitions to have them rendered more favourable
to the people; but if the king continues obflinate,
all their remonftrances are in vain, and they are
at laft obliged to fubmit. Their lands are fo
highly taxed, that fmall eftates will fcarce afford
the proprietors afubhftence, who have not a place;
and indeed there are few confiderable families in
the kingdom, that have not fome preferment in
the church, the court, or the army. What adds
to the diftrefles of the people, is the cuftom of
farming the taxes, which renders it the intereft of
the farmers to levy them with the moft opprellive
rigour. The nobility and gentry of France think
themfelves above engaging in trade, and indeed,
appear naturally formed for the court and the
army ; and if they are of a melancholy turn,
there are always convents and numerous prefer-
ments to be met with in the church. We have
already obferved, that they do not want bravery y
and it ought not to be omitted, that they have
brought the art of war to great perfedion, there
being no people upon earth who are better ikilled
in fortification, or in the attack or defence of a
place.
With refpe£l to their exercifes, there are few
Frenchmen who dg not learn to dance, and few
gentlemen
NATURE AND ART, 207
gentlemen who do not underftand the ufe of the
fmall fword, and what is called riding the great
horfe. Their moft ufual diverfions are gaming,
of which they are very fond, walking, taking the
air in coaches, and attending operas and plays.
CHAP. III.
Of SPAIN and PORTUGAL.
Springs, Caves, Lakes, i^c.
SPAIN is feparated from France by a long
chain of very high mountains, called the Py-
renees, which reaches from the bay of Bifcay to
the Mediterranean ; and from this ridge feveral
branches extend themfelves through great part of
the kingdom. Thefe mountains abound with
valuable metals and minerals, and fend forth a vaft
number of fprings, which form many fine rivers
that water the plains and vallies, and render them
fertile and delightful. The mountains of Anda-
lufia and Granada are alfo remarkable for their
mineral treafure, and for a great variety of medi-
cinal waters, whofe healing virtues many have
experienced. Of the hot kind, the moft famous
are thofe of Seville, Cordoua, and Granada, which
are faid to cure all chronical, and even venereal
difeafes ; and this is not improbable, confidering
the minerals they are impregnated with, their
excelTive heat, and the plentiful perfpiration oc-
cafioned thereby, as well as by the warmth of the
climate. — Nor is Portugal without thefe faluti-
ferous fountains, having fome of a hot, and others
of a cold nature. One in particular of the for-
mer kind, about forty miles north of Lifbon, is
much
i^o8 The WONDERS of
much reforted to, where an hofpital has been built
for the reception of poor patients, who are at-
tended by a phyfician, apothecary, furgeon, and
other attendants. The hot bath of St. Peter, in
Algarve, is alfo reckoned of great virtue, and fome
others in the northern parts of the kingdom.
Near Antequera, in Granada, there is a fpring,
whofe water is faid to diflblve the {tone in the
bladder *, and bring it away by urine ; but we
may fuppofe this charafter exceeds the truth,
though it may probably be of great fervice in ne-
phritic diforders, by promoting a difcharge of
fand or gravel
In the neighbourhood of the fame city are fe-
veral remarkable Caves, fuppofed to be mines for-
merly carried on by the Romans, and exhaufted
of their precious metals. — Another rarity near
Antequera, is a parcel of high rocks, which, at
a diftance, look li^e men, beafts, buildings, &c,
and are reckoned a Wv)nJerful work of nature.
On the top of a ndge of mountains in Portu-
gal, called Ettrella, there are two Lakes of a great
.extent and depth, efpecially one of them, which
is faid to be unfathomable. What is chiefly re-
markable in them is, that they are calm when the
fea is fo, and rough when that is ftormy ; which
* How Ineftlmable would this water be, were it poflefred
of fo extraordinary a quality, as thus to cany off one cf the
inoft terrible difeal'es in nature ! There is no way of curing
the llone in the bladder, vxhen it is grown too large to be
voided, bat either by a liquor that wi.l (iifT-lve or break it,
fo lhat it may be evacuated piece-meal, which is called Ll-
thontriptic 5 or bv the operation of cutting, which is termed
Lithotomy. But we have yet no affured Lithontrip ic known,
fo that the ufual cure is by making an incifion, and extraiJi-
ing the ftone out of the bladder, wiiich tliere are various me-
thods of performing. The Englifh and French furgeons are
famous for this curious operation*
makes
NATURE AND ART. 20^
makes it conjeftured, they have a fubterraneous
communication with the ocean : and this feem=s
to be confirmed by the pieces of fliips they now and
then throw up, though aimoft forty miles diftant
from the fea. — There is another extraordinary
lake in this country, which ufuaily, before a iftorm,
is faid to make a frightful rumbling noife, that
may be heard at thediibnce of eighteen or twenty
miles. — And we are alfo told of a pool or foun-
tain, called Ferven^as, about twenty four miles
froin Coimbra, that abforbs not only wood, but
even the lighted bodies thrown into it, fuch as
cork, draws, feathers, &c. which fink to the bot-
tom, and are feen no more. — To thefe we may
add a remarkable Spring near Eftremo6, which
petrifies wood, or rather covers it with a cafe of
ftone ; but the molt furprizing circumftance is^^
that it throws up water enough in fummer to tura
feveral mills, whereas it is quite dried up in the
winter *.
There is one particular related of the river
Guadiana, that deferves to be mentioned under
this article, viz. That about eight leagues from
its fource, it entirely lofes itfelf under ground,
and, after a fubterraneous courfe of feven or eight
leagues more, rifes again in a lake near a village
called Daymiel. From hence it takes the name
* If we awe rightly informed, there is an inftance of this
kind at Lamboum in Beikfhire, the little river thatruns by it
being always high in iummer, but very low, or entirely loft,
in winter. Mr. Sylvefter, (the tranllatur of Dubai tas) who
lived at Lambotirn mmy years, takes notice of it, addrelFing
himlelf to the rivulet in the following lines :
All fummer long, while all thy fifters fhrink,
Then of thy waters thoufands daily drink j
But while the reft are full unto the top,
All winter long thou doft not iiiew a drop. ^
2X0 The WONDERS of
of Guadiana, being hitherto called Ruydera, and
in its courfe finks twice under ground again be«
fore it falls into the ocean *.
FOSSILS.
SPAIN and Portugal abound with mountains,
as we have obferved already, whofe bowels
are furniflied with a vaft ftore of divers metals and
minerals, particularly iron, copper, lead, quick-
filver, alum, and calamine. To fay nothing of
their quarries of marble, of which there are feve-
ral forts, they have agate, granate, jafper, and
other precious ftones. As to their mines of gold
and filver, they have been either exhaufted by the
Romans, Carthaginians, and other nations, or at
leaft quite neglected by the Spaniards, fince they
have been able to draw fuch vaft quantities of
thofe' rich metals out of their American domi-
nions. Of all the mines in Spain, therefore,,
thofe are the moft valuable which furnifh them
with iron and quickfilver, of both which they
have great plenty. Their iron is excellent, par-
ticularly that which is dug out of the mountains
* The burying hfelf under ground, and riling again m
another place, is not peculiar to the Guadiana, but likewife
i-eported of the Nile, the Tigris, and many other rivers.
Nay, we need not look abroad for an inftance of this nature,,
for the river Mole in Surry iinks into the earth at the foot of
Box Hill, and after a fubterraneous pafTage of feveral miles,
appears again at Leatherhead j whence Mr. Pope, in his
Windior-Foreft, calls it
The fullen Mole, that hides his diving flood.
But fome are of opinion, that the river which rifes at Leather*
head is really a new river, dittin6i: from the Mole, though
it goes by the fame name; and no doubt but falfe conjectures
and reports have been made concerning feveral other rivers
that lofe themfelves in the fame manner,
of
NATURE AND ART, siii
.of Bifcay, whereof large quantities are fcnt to
moft parts of Europe, as well as manufaftured at
home. Some fay the Spaiiifh iron is the beft in
the world, but theSwedifli iron has generally the
preference, becaufe the Spanifli is apt to red-fear^
(as they call it) that is, to crack between hot
and cold.
Quicksilver, or mercury, is a mineral fluid
matter, cold to the touch, of a fhining filver co-
lour, very heavy, volatile, and v/hich will unite
with moft metals, efpecially gold, to which it
joins itfelf very clofely. It is fometimes found in
its fluid form in the bowels of the earth, and is
then called Virgin Mercury ; but it is more ufu-
ally found in glebes, fometimes very hard and
ftony, of a ruddy, yellow, or blackifli colour ;
or elfe in form of a red fulphureous mineral, cal-
led Cinnabar. To feparate the mercury from the
ore or earth, the ufual way is to grind the glebe
to powder, mix it with water, and ftir it bri{kl,y
about till the water becomes very thick and tur-
bid. When it has ftood a while to fettle, they
pour off the water, fupply its place with frefli,
and ftir and work it as before ; and this is repeated^
till at length the water comes away perfeAly clear,
leaving the mercury and other metallic and ftony
matter at the bottom of the veffeL To this mat-
ter they add the fcoria of iron, and diftil it in
large iron retorts, by which the mercury is fepa-
rated from all the heterogeneous parts. — But we
-ftiall fay no more of quickfilver in this place, as
we ftiall have occafion to fpeak more largely of it
hereafter.
The Agate (which we have faid is found in
Spain) is a precious ftone, partly opake, and
partly tranfparent, ufually diverfified with various
colours, veins, fpots, &c. which fometimes re-
prefent
212 The wonders of
prefent trees, animals, fruits, flowers, and othdf
natural objefts *. There are various kinds of
agates, which have different names, according to
their different colours and degrees of tranfpa-
rency ; of which the fardian and fardonyx are the
moft valuable. The agate (efpecially the fardian
or cornelian) has always been efteemed for feals,
being a ftone that no wax will flick to, that graves
well, and takes a fine polifti. Several medicinal
virtues have been afcribed to this ftone, which
fcem to be all imaginary.
The Granate, or Garnet, as it is commonly
called, is a gem of a red colour, refembling that of
the kernel of a pomegranate, from whence its
name. Granates are diftinguifhed into orienta"!
and occidental ; the former brought from feveral
parts of the Eaft-Indies, the latter found in Spain,
Bohemia, and Silefia ; of which laft fort thofe of
Bohemia are moil valued, and by fome preferred
to the oriental kind. This ftone, reduced to
powder, and taken internally, is faid to cure pal-
pitations of the heart, to refift melancholy, and
Hop haemorrhages ; and fome believe it has the
fame effe£t, if fufperided about the neck.
Jasper is a precious ftone not much different
from the agate, except that it is more opake,
fofter, and does not take fo good a polifli. The
florid jafper, found in the Pyrenees, is ufually
* De Boot (in his hi (lory of Gems) mentions an agate,
the fize of a man's nail, wherein a bifhop with his mitre wag
very well reprefented ; but by turning it a little there appear-
ed the heads of a man and woman — M. du Fay (in the Me-
moirs of the Roval Academy of Sciences) has given us the
art of ftaining agates with divers beautiful colours; and he
afterwards oblerves, that the figures and ramifications upon
thefe ftones, whether natural or artificial, may be difcharged
with Aqua-fortis. — Mr. Boyle takes notice, that fire will
purge away the colour of agate,
ftained
NATURE AND ART* 21 J
ftaincd with various colours, though fome have
only one colour, as red or green j but thefe are
hciil elleemed. The green fpotted w^ith red is
now moft valued ; in the next place that which
borders on a purple colour, or that of a carna-
tion. Almoft the fame virtues are afcribed to
this ftone as to the granate, and perhaps with
equal foundation.
To thefe we fhall add another ftone (though
not of the precious kind) which is dug up in
Spain, and feveral other parts of the world, viz.
the Haematites, or Blood-Stone, which is a fer-
rugineous, ponderous, hard, metallic fubftance,
of a red, blackilh, and fometimes an iron co-
lour, and of an earthy aftringent tafte. Some of
thefe ftones have an uneven and angular furface,
as thofe that are found in Spain, which are reck-
oned the beft in Europe; others are cluftered onthe
furface liice bunches of grapes, as thofe brought
from the Her^ynian foreft in Germany ; and
others are formed like inteftines, or the outer fur-
face of the brain, in various convolutions. This
ilone, reduced to a fine powder, has been ufed
in all ages to ftop haemorrhages, fpitting of blood,
and to dry and heal ulcers in the lungs. It is
alfo found very effeftual to promote the Menfes.
The Salt-iVlines in the mountains of Catalo-
nia, belonging to the duke of Cardona, one of
the richeft grandees in Spain, deferve to be men-
tioned under this article. The fait dug out of
them is of four kinds, white, bay, red, and bril-
liant ; which are found in diftindt ftrata, one abpye
another. The firft is like our fea-falt, only it is
not granulated. The fecond is of an iron and
(late colour, but has moft of the qualities of the
white. The third only diff^ers from the reft by the
piixture of fpme bole or earth, which gives it the
colour
iii4 The WONDERS of
colour of a rofe. And the fourth fort, though
brilliant, is tranfparent as cryftal, which is the
proper Sal-Gemmae of the druggifts. This laft
kind will become red-hot in the fire, like iron,
but eafily diflblves in water; yet the druggifts
wafli it to give it the greater luftre, but they lake
care to wipe it dry again immediately,
VEGETABLES.
BESIDES the internal riches of the moun-
tains of Spain and Portugal, we may ob-
ferve in general, that many of them are covered
with ftately trees of feveral forts either for timber
or fuel ; others afford a fragrant herbage that ferves
to feed a great number of fheep and goats, and
gives their milk and flefti an exquifite relifli ; and
others furnifli the curious botanift with abundance
of medicinal fimples, too numerous to be here
defcribed. The vine, which grows fo naturally
in thefe warm countries, and yields the inhabitants
fuch plenty of its rich liquor, that even the poor-
eft people drink it, has been fufficiently fpoken of
in the preceding chapter. And as for their other
fruit-trees, they have not only all the forts that
either grow naturally with us in England, or
which we cultivate with fo much pains, but like-
wife many others which all our art cannot bring
toperfeftion.
Amongst thefe may be reckoned the Orange-
tree, which grows in great abundance all over
the country, wearing a continual verdure, and
bearing at the fame time a fragrant bloom of
flowers, and a diverfity of fruits, fome in their in-
fant-ftate, and others in their full maturity. The
fruit and the tree are too well known to need a de-
fcriptioni but it is worth obferving, that the
oranjic-
NATURE AND ART. 21S.
drange-tree is one of the moft long-lived plants
in nature, feveral of them having been kept in
gardens between two and three hundred years, and
even then retained the appearance of their youth-
ful vigour. The delicious fort, called Qhina'
Oranges, was firft brought from China by thePor-
tuguefe ; and it is faid the very tre f n m whence
all the European ones of that kind have been pro-
pagated, is ftill preferved atLifbon. The city of
Seville in Spain gives name to a fpeciesof O Axiges
whofe juice has an agreeable acidity, and is chiefly
ufed in punch and fauces. — The Lemon-tree,
whofe acid fruit is ufed for the fame purpofes as
the Seville Orange, is li^ewife the produce of
this country.
The Pomegranate-tree, which bears a fine
medicinal fruit, grows plentifully in Spain and
Portugal, both wild and cultivated in gardens.
There are two kinds, the one bearing flowers on-
ly, the other both flowers and fruit ; the branches
are a little prickly, and the leaves refemble thofe
of the greater myrtle. The flowers are inclcfed
in a purple calyx or cup, ftiaped fomewhat like a
bell y and the fruit confifts of a great number of
angular grains or feeds *, inclofed within a red-
difh pulp, and covered with a thick brownifh rind.
Over this grows a fort of crowning, of the fame
nature with the rind, formed of a produdlion of
the calyx. In general pomegranates are not only
agreeable to the palate, but good for the ftomach;
and the flowers, as well as the rind and kernels,
are of confiderable ule in medicine, being all cool-
ing and aftringent.
* From the abundance of thefe grains or kernels, the
fruit feems tu have received its name, q. d. Pomum Gra*
natum, the kernelled apple j and not from Granada in Spain,
as fome have imagined.
The
Ii6 The WONDERS of
The Almond-tree deferves to be mentioned
among the fpontaneous produdions of Spain and
Portugal, though not peculiar to their foil, but
frequent in France, Italy, Barbary, and other
warm countries. It pretty much refembles a
peach-tree, blofToms early in the fpring, and the
fruit is ripe about Auguft The flowers are pen-
tapetalous, /. e. confift of five leaves, ranged in
the rofe manner ; and the piftil becomes a flefhy
fruit, containing a feed or kernel inclofed in a
fione, which is the almond, and w^iich drops out
when the fruit is arrived at maturity. Almonds
are of two kinds. Sweet and Bitter; the former
of which are of a foft grateful tafte, and are re-
puted cooling, healing, emollient, and nutritive.
The oil drawn from them by expreffion is a fafe
and ufeful remedy in nephritic pains ; and in
hoarfenefs, coughs, afthmas, phthifics, and all
diforders of the breaft, it is highly beneficial.
The latter fort are feldom eaten, on account of
their bitternefs, but afford a proper medicine on
many occafions, being of a ftimulating, detergent,
aperient, and diuretic quality *.
It would carry us too far to fay much more
of the vegetable produftions of thefe countries ;
but we thlnic it proper to take notice of an Ever-
green of the oak kind, which is common enough
* Hofi'man very much recommends the afe of bitter al-
monds, to prevent the generation of the ftone, for which
purpofe he would have three or four of them eaten every
morning. It is Icarce credible, he fays, how beneficial they
are in calculous difpofitions, fmce they expel the urine, and
bring away the fand, from whence the ftone is pi oduced, as
he has found by frequent expericnc;?. — Some efteem them
good to be taken before drinking, in order to pi'event in-
toxication, which is faid to have been the pra6lice of the em-
peror Claudius : and Plutarch relates, that a certain phyfi-
cian, a great drinker, ufed to take down five bitter almonds
at every cup, to allay the heat and fumes of the wine.
NATURE AND ART. 217
in Spain, (as well as in Languedoc) remarkable
for a fort of hufk or berry called Kermes, and
Scarlet Grain, found adhering fometimes to its
leaves, but generally to its ftem or branches. It
is of a fpherical figure, as large as a pea, fmooth,
fliining, an^ full of a mucilaginous juice of a
beautiful red colour, of confiderable ufe in medi-
cine, and in dying fcarlet. After the moft dili-
gent enquiries of naturalifts into the produ£lion
of this grain, it is found to be the neft of a fmall
infe6t or worm, which pricking the bark or leaf
in order to depofit its eggs, raifes a little tumor
or blifter, which by degrees fills with a red pulp,
impregnated with the numerous progeny of that
animalcule Hence, v/hen the berry is dried,
there
* Mr. Derham, fpeaking of the nidifiCation of inre<5ls,
admires the wonderful ai t or faculty which lom^ cf thol't
fmali animals have, of making the vegetation and growth of
trees and plants the very means of building theii Jittle ctiis or
nefts, Tuch as are the galls and balls found on the leaves and
branches of diveis vegetables, as th&, oak, the willow, the
bris/r, and fome others. This (he adds) is i'o far out of the
reach of any mortal underftanding or power, that if we con-
fider the matter, we mud needs perceive manifcft defign, and
the concurrence of fome great and wife Being, that hath fj om
the beginning provided for the good of the animal. — The
manner of the produclion of galls on oaks, and other vege-
tables, is well defcribed by Malpighi, in an exprels Treatilc
on that fubje61:, and his obiervations are confirmed by Mr,
Derham. They ai e occafioncd (according to thefc ingenious
naturalifts) by a certain fly, which makes a pundlure to the
very heart of the tender gem or bud, and there depofits an egg
or more, injefting at the faine time a Ibrt of venomous li-
quor, by which the regular vegetation is ob(lru61ed, and the
fap that was to nouriAi the young branch is diverted into the
teguments of the bud, which by this means grow large, and
form a covering for the inclofed inle6>, as they wei-e before
tor the temlerbianch and its appendage* The maggot thus
impiifoned is at length tr;^ reformed into a fly, which pierces
through the inclofuie, and -expatiates at full liberty in the
open air. — In tlie flime manner are the little excrekences pro*
Vol. II. L d-Kzd
2i8 The WONDERS of
there comes out of it a prodigious number of
little flies, fo minute, that they are fcarce difcern-
ible, infomuch that the whole inward fubftancc
feems converted into thefe infccSIs ; to prevent
iv^hich, the kermes is ufually fteeped in vinegar.
«— The berries are of a vinous fmell, and of a
jough bitter tafte, which indicates their corrobo-
rating quality, and their fitnefs to correct the acef-
cent humours. In a word, they are cardiac,
deficcative, aftringent, fortify the ftomach, and
prevent abortion. They yield abundance of vo-
latile fait, which M. Marfigli thinks would have
a better effeft in medicine, if taken in a liquid,
than when inclofed in conferves and confections,
which hinder its action. — Thus much for the ve-
getables of Spain 3 let us now briefly confider its
animals.
>
ANIMALS. .
UNDER this article we have very little re-
markable in Spain and Portugal, though
fe w countries exceed them for plenty and variety
of fowl both wild and tame, and their mountains
and forcfts abound with deer, hares, rabbets,
Wild boars, and other game. The buftalo, or
wild bull, is alfo found in fome mountainous
duced on the leaves of nettles, ground-ivy, and other plants 5
the parent- in ft 61, with its ftiff ieraceous taiJ, piercing the rib
of the leaf, and laying its egg in the very pith or heart of it,
together with fome proper juice to pervert the regular vegeta-
tion : and from thefe balls or tumours ifiues a beautiful fly,
when arrived to a ftate of maturity. — The Aleppo galls,
ufed in dying, making ink, &c. though hard as (hells, are no
other thnn the cafes of infedls bred in them- after the mannei*
above defciibed, and which gnaw their way out through the
Jittle hole? obfervable in the galls. , Of thefe iafeils fee an ac-
CQuntinPhil. Tranf. No24£. ^
parts
KATlJRE AND ART* ary i
^Tp'arts "of Spaln^ which is a beaft fefembling an !
ox, but longer and bigger, having large thick j
horns, Ihort black hair, and a fmall head*.—* j
The Spanifh flieep, particularly thofe about Se*
govia, are famous all ov^er Europe for the fine- |
nefs of their wool ; and their horfes have been al-
ways noted for their fwiftnefs and beauty. But ^
however excellent their horfes may be, they have j
been long accuftomed to breed great numbers of 1
mules f, which, though not fo fw:fc, are much |
larger and ftronger, and are generally ufed not '
only to ride on, but to carry burdens ; and even '
their coaches are ufually drawn by thefe animalso
They feem indeed to be much more fitted by na* ^
ture for travelling over the craggy and mountai- j
nous parts of the country, being fo fure-footed^ i
that they feldom maice a f.ilfe ftep, let the road ;
be ev^er lb rough and difficult ; and it is furpff"izing ]
to fte With what eafe and fteadinefs they will \
Carry their riders, or very heavy burdens, even on j
the edge of the mofl: dangerous precipice. ^
The Cantharides, Or Spanilh FlicS|, as they
are called (though the name of Beetles would b(5 \,
more prorper) arc a kind of poifonous infects,
formed of little worms hatched on wheat, the !
The buffalo is very common in the Levant, p:ArticuIarIy |
Jibout Smyrna and Conllantinople, and is freqtlently lamed
and wrought as we do oxen. What we call Baft-leatlier|
Itri^tly fpeaking, is made of the fkin of this creature : \
though the fkins of elks, oxen, and fuch like anlm ils, wlien I
prepared in the fame manner as that of the buftalo, are like- ?
wife denominated Buff, and ufed for the fame purpofes. i
t Mod people know> that the mule is a mongrel kind of
quadrupede, ufually generated between an afs and a niare^ !
Ibirtetimes alfo between a horfe and a fbe*afs ; and as mules ]
are a fort of monfters, they do not propagate their ipeciesj ■]
though Ariftotle, Varro, Columella, and other ancient wri- ]
tei s, make mention of fome that were prolilic. j
L 2 leaves
220 The wonders of
leaves of the poplar, &c. They are killed by
expofing them over boiling vinegar, after which
they are dried, ajid will keep good a year or two,
but not longer. They are all of a golden hue,
but the beft are thofe which appear with different
colours, having yellow lines running acrofs their
wings j and are to be chofen frefh, dry, and
whole. They are extremely hot and corrofive,
and are remarkable for afFedling the bladder and
urinary paffages with inflammation, excefTive
pain, and ftrangury, even when externally applied.
We have in^^:ances of their internal application,
with good fuccefs, in dropfical and other cafes ;
but their principal ufe is as a veficatory, to raife
blifters on the fkin, and by that means turn ofF
ajid difcharge fome flux of ill humours.
A N T I Q^U I T I E S.
AS the Romans were a long time maftcrs of
Spain, the remains of their ancient ftruc-
Tares are to be fcen in feve*"al parts of the king-
dom. There is a magnificent bridge over the
Tagus, at Alcantara, which was built in the
reign of the emperor; Trajan. It confifts of no
more tlian fix arches, though it is upwards of fix
hundred feet in length ; its height is faid to be
two hundred feet above the water.
In the road from l^irragona to Barcelona, is
the tomb or the Sciplos, which is a bafe of an
obcllfK, or pyramid, anciently erefted to their
memorv, with a fi2;ure on each fide in the Ro-
man habit ; thefe are by fome thought to be de-
figned for the two Scipios, but others funpofe
theni to reprefent Weeping Slaves. At a fm.all
diftance is a noble triumphal arch, eredted by the
family
NATURE AND ART. 221
family of the Licinii, adorned with fluted Corin-
thian columns, and a pediment with Dentiles^
like the Ionic order.
At Merida, amongft other remains of anti-
quity, there is yet (landing great part of a tri-
umphal arch, now called by the inhabitants Arco
de St. Jago. And at Tarragona we flill difcern
the ruins of fome ancient Roman ftrudures, par-
ticularly of an amphitheatre, which has furnifticd
materials for the building a neighbouring church.
In a word, there are fcveral other marks of its
former grandeur to be met with in and about the
city ; but perhaps it is owing to the devaftations
of the Moors, that we do not find fo many monu-
ments of antiquity in Spain as might naturally be
expelled. — Leaving this fubject therefore, we
proceed to give fome account of its more modern
BUILDINGS.
AMONGST the cathedral churches of Spain,
that of Toledo feems to claim the firft no-
tice, being one of the nobleft and richeft in the
univerfe. It is all built of curious white ftone,
is 384 feet in length, 190 in breadth, and 107
in height. Its lotty roof is fupported by eighty-
eight ftately columns, which divide it into three
fpacious ifles, whereof the niiddlemoft is ex-
tremely grand and majeftic. Eight large and
beautiful gates of brafs, with magnificent por-
ticos, lead into this nobie fabric, which has
very high tower, from whence there is an exten-
five profpecl over the neighbouring country.
The choir of the high-altar is adorned with the
fineft carved work and gilding that can pofTibly
be imagined, and inclofed with coftly iron gate-s
L 3 Hxed
222
The wonders or
fixed on bafes of j^fper. On each fide of the al-
tar is a brafs pulpit, fupported by pillars of the
fame metal. The choir of the canons is inclofed
in the fame manner, and enriched with the moft
curious carvings in wood and jafper. Both thefe
choirs are adorned on the outfidewith fine ftatues
in niches, and other ornamental imagery, repre-
fenting feveral pieces of fcripture-hiftory. — As
to the chapels in this cathedral^ of which there
are a great number, it is impoffible to defcribe
their beauty and riches, or the fine monuments
of the kings, archbifhops, and other illuftrious
per Tons whofe remains are there depofited. The
principal of thefe chapels, called the Sagrario,
wherein the treafure of the church is kept, is all
lined with jafper frcm the pavement to the roof ;
and the altar, which flands in a large niche, is
encompafled with a balluftrade of filver. The
image of the Virgin, as big as the life, is alfo of
filver ; and round the altar hang a great many
lamps of the f^me metal. Forty or fifty large
clofets are contrived in the wall, which are filled
with a prodigious quantity of gold and filver
vefl^els, and other utenfils, fuch as bafons, cha-
lices, crofles, crofiers, mitres, &c. The taber-
nacle, under which the hoft is carried in procef-
fion on particular feftivals, is all of filver gilt,
and of moft exquifite workmanfliip. It may be
taken into feven thoufand pieces, and is fo heavy,
that it requires thirty men to carry it. Within
this there is a veflel of pure gold, fome pf th^
firft that was brought from AiPxCrica, which con-
tains the confecrated bread. Here is alfo a figure
of the Virgin fitting upon a rock formed of pre-
cious ftones, amongft which is a diamond as big
as a pigeon's egg. In fhort, it would require
a volume to give a particular defcription of this
cathedrai
NATURE AND ART* 223
cathedral and all the curiofitles of its treafury ^
and therefore, from what has been already faid, we
leave the reader to judge of what wc have not
room to mention.
The cathedral of Compoftella, dedicated to
St. Jago, or St. James the apoftle, whom the
Spaniards affirm to be buried in that city, is a
ftrong and magnificent fabric, having a very
lofty cupola adorned with four flately towers.
The tabernacle or repofitory over the altar is per-
haps the fineft in the world, being fupported by
fix angels mounted on as many columns ; and
the effigy of the great apoftle is held up by four
kings of Spain. The whole is of filvcr gilt, of
the moft curious workmanfhip, and enriched
with all proper ornaments. Here are fix large
filver candlefticks, five feet high, prefented by
Philip the Third ; and about thirty filver lam.ps
are kept continually burning in this church, bc-
fides forty or fifty wax tapers round the altar. —
As vaft numbers of pilgrims refort hither out of
devotion, there is a noble hofpital built near the
cathedral for the reception of the poor and fick,
where they are treated with great care and hu*
manity.
Some are of opinion, that the cathedral of
Seville, in which there is a mixture of the Go-
thic and Moorifli tafte, has fomething in it that
looks majeftic beyond any other in the kingdom.
It is certainly a very {lately edifice, being 407
feet in length, 270 in breadth, and 128 in height;
and its roof is fupported by two double rows of
beautiful columns. The tower of this church is
three hundred and fifty feet high, all built of
brick, with large windows to give light to the
ftair-cafe, the afcent of which is fo eafy, that one
may ride ub it on horfeback, or even in 4 chaife.
^ L 4 It
^^4 The WONDERS of
It is terminated by a cupola, on the top of which
is the figure of a woman in brafe, that turns to
point out the wind like a weather-cock. The
infide of the church is adorned with ftatues,
paintings, monuments, and other decorations,
which it would be endlefs to defcribe ; and there-
fore v/e (hall only mention the magnificent taber-
nacle on the high altar, which is of rnafiy filver,
weighing above fix hundred pounds, the very
W'orkmanfliip whereof is faid to have coft forty
thoufand ducats.
T HE cathedral of Leon is defervedly admired
for the beauty and regularity of its architecture,
and the elegance and variety of its ornaments, in
V. hich refpe£t it is reckoned the fineft in Spain.
1 his appears from the Spanifh proverb relating to
the three cathedrals before mentioned, and this
cf LccHa which runs thus : Seville for gran-
dcur, Toledo for riches, Compoftella for
ftrcngth, and Leon for curious w^crkmarifhip.*'
It is like wife remarkable for the monuments of an
crrperor, thirty-fevcn kings, and other illuflrious
per -on ages there interred.
But of all the cathedrals in Spain, the mod
magnificent is that of Cordoua, which is flill called
the Mezquita, having been originally a mofque,
built in the eighth century, by the famous moorifh
king Abderhaman,- and may be juftly ranked
among the wonders of the world. Jt is 6oO
feet in length, and 250 in breadth ; and the
r6of, which is furprizingly bold and lofty, and
rix:hly gilt, is fupported by 365 columns of fine
marble. It has tv/enty- four gates adorned with
fculpture^ and fome of its chapels, of which
there are upwards of three hundred, are parti-
cularly beautiful, being embellifhed with giv-
ing, paintings, and other ornaments.
NATURE AKD ART. 22$
To the facred -ttruftures already mentioned,
let us add one more of the fame kind, viz.
the cathedral of St. Vincent in Lifbon, which
is a vaft Gothic edifice, heavy and cliimfy indeed,
but being feated on a hill, it makes a noble ap-
pearance at a proper diftan-ce, when grouped with
the reft of the public buildings. What it wants,
however, in elegance and beauty without, is
made up by the richnefs of its ornaments within,
fuch as ftatues, paintings, and utenfils of gold
and iilver of exquifite workmanfhipy enriched
with precioiis ftones of immenfe value.
We now come to take a view of fome of the
royal palaces, and firft of the Efcurial *y fo cal-
led from a little village of that name, in the
neighbourhood of which it ftands, about two
and twenty m»ile& from Madrid. This palace^
(including the monaftery, church, college, li-
brary, and othtv buildings) is not only the moft
magnificent in Spain>, but perhaps in Europe^
and is reckoned by the Spaniards the eighth won-
der of the world. The whole pile of building is
a vaft fquare, about three thoufand feet in coir -
pafs, all of fine grey ftonc dug out of a neigh-
bouring mouhtain, and fo wdi poliflied, that it
looks like marble. The v/indov/s of tke four
fronts, including thofe in the pavilions at each
corner,, amount to upwards of eleven hundred ;
but thofe within are computed at as many thou-
fands. The principal front faces the weft, hav-
ing three nobLe gates, efpecially that in tKe
* This palace v/as built by Fhib"p II, of Spain, in me-
mory of a victory his forces obtained over the French near
St. Qinntin in Picardy, in the year 1557, on St. Laurence's
day ; to the honour of which faint the kmg had made a vow
to eie6l this ftately edifice, in cafe his troops- overcame the
L 5 middlCy
226
The wonders ot
middle, which leads to the church, a large and
beautiful ftructure, built in imitation of St, Pe-
ter's at Rome. It is 364 feet long, 230 broa<i,
and of a proportionable height. The roof, which
is finely gilt and painted, is fupported by columns
of the Doric order, dividing it into fix ftately
ifles, with forty-eight chapels and altars, befides
the grand one at the eaft end, which is magni-
ficent beyond defcription. The tabernacle of the
great altar is of porphyry, wrought with the point
of a diamond -y it is made in the form of a cu-
pola, fupported by eighteen columns of agate, and
adorned with gold and precious ftones. The al-
tar itfelf is of fine black marble, and behind it
the wall is lined with a fquare piece of porphyry,
wherein onemayfeethe infideof the church as plain
as in a looking-glafs. It is aftonifliing to behold
the facrifty or veftry, filled with the veftments,
chalices, and other coftly veflels and utenfils be-
longing to the church. Here are a great number
of Itatues of faints, &c. of excellent workman-
Ihip, and feveral of the fmaller fort are of gold
and filver. The paintings, which are reckoned
above fixteen hundred, are many of them large,
^nd done by the moft eminent mafters. Under*
Beath the grand chapel is a large and beautiful
maufoleum or burying-place for the royal family,
which is called the Pantheon, being a rotunda,
built after the manner of that temple at Rome.
The defcent to it confifts of more than fifty
ma{:ble fteps, and the gate that opens into it is
"brafs gilt, and of very curious workmanftiip. The
dome is lined with jafper intermixed with little
.plates of brafs, and the pavement is likewife
compofed of fquares of jafper and marble, form-
ing a ftar in the middle. Facing the entrance is
a kind of chapel or oratory, adonied in the moft
fumptuoua
NATURE AND ART. 227 ]
fumptuous manner imaginable, particularly with j
a crucifix enriched with diamonds and other pre- |
cious ftones. In the middle of this noble vault \
we fee a large brazen candleftick, fupported by
figures of angels, and the four Evangelifts of j
the fame metal ; and in twenty-fix niches^ 1
which are embelliftied with the richeft ornaments, I
are placed as many urns or fepukhres of black ,
marble, twelve or thirteen whereof are already i
filled with the deceafed kings and queens of Spain, \
and the reft wait to receive the remains of fuc- \
ceeding monarchs. — As to the royal apartments,
(or what we may properly call the Palace) a par-
ticular defcription of them would carry us too
far; and therefore we fliall only cbferve, that i
they are large, ftately, furnifhed in the moft
magnificent manner, and adorned with every I
thing that is rich and beautifuU Throughout the
whole we fee a variety of marble, jafper, and
other curious ftones, carved by the beft mafters,. ]
and in the grandeft tafte ; and all the halls, gal- \
leries, ftair-cafe^, &c. are filled with excellent ;
paintings ; to fay nothing of the fine hang-
ings, plate, and other coftly furniture. •
The monaftery (in which there are two hun- ■
dred religious monks of the order of St. Jerom) -
confifts of five courts or fquares, one larger thant i
the reft, each of them adorned with a marble ^
fountain* The grand cloifter, which is two hun- I
dred and ten feet fqoare, is paved with black, and ,
white marble, as are likewife the walks of the
garden within it j and at the bottom of it is a l
beautiful chapel in form of a dome, opea on all j
fides, and fupported by marble columns* The i
fefe£lory, or hall where the religious take- their !
meals, is very long, and adorned with fine paint- ^
i^gs> amongft which there is oae reprefcntijag
L t Charles ;
^23 The WONDERS of
Charles V. and Philip II. carried to heaven by
angels. , There are feveral infirmaries for the
fick belonging to this monaftery, two grand
apartments to entertain ftrangers, nine kitchens,
above forty rooms under ground for offices of di-
vers kinds, and eleven vaft ciftcrns, that v^ill
hold two hundred tons of water. — The college,
where a number of young ftudents are main-
tained at the king's expence, is a very handfomc
building j and the library is in all refpeiSs an-
fwcrabic to the reft of this noble and furpriziag
edifice. It contains a fine collection of books
in all languages and faculties, both printed and
manufcript, difpofed in a very elegant manner,
the ftands or (helves being neatly carved, and
made of the choiceft forts of wood in Spain pr
the Indies. The floor is beautifully paved with
marble, and the cieling is adorned with admirable
paintings reprefenting the liberal arts and fcienges.
The books, which are about 100,000, are placed
in five galleries one above another, all finely
painted by Titian and other celebrated mafters.-r-
But it is time to conclude, for to defcribe every
particular in the Efcurial as it deferves, would
fill a volume *, and we have already exceeded our
narrow limits,
* The defcription of the Efcurial by F, Francifco de bs
Santos a^lually makes a large folio 5 and to give the reader fcijie
klea of the furprizing grandeur of this paiace, it is worth ob-
ItTving, that, according to that autiior's computation, it
wouid take up niQie than four days to go -through all its
roouiS and apartments, the length of the way bemg reck-
oned thirty thiee Span ifti leagues, which is above a hundred
^iid twenty Englilli miles. W e may judge farther of this by
what Alvarez de Colmenar tells us in hisDeiices de TEfpagne,
VIZ. that there are fourteen thoHland doors belonging to this
lialucc, and eleven th©ufand windows,
^ The
NATURE AND ART. aa^
The palace of Aranjuez, about thirty miles
fouth of Madrid, though much inferior to the
Efcurial in bignefs and elegancy of ftrufture, yet
far exceeds it for delightful gardens and water-
works, which are here in the higheit perfedion.
It is fituated in an illand formed by the conflux
of the Tagus and the Xarama, and a large ca-
nal cut from one river to another. A handfome
terrace runs round the gardens, which are fo well
fupplied with water from the Tagus, that they
are never fcorched with the fun's heat, but kept
in a conftant bloom and beautiful verdure. In a
word, the great number of fine fountains, grot-
tos, cafcades, (hady walks, fummer-houfes, Sic^
render this palace the moft charming of any in
the kingdom, though the Efcurial is moft fre-
quented by the royal family.
His Catholic majefty's palace at Madrid is
a fpacious and magnificent edifice, confifting of
feverai courts, v/ith piazzas round them, and a
great many gilt balconies, which make a pretty
appearance. The royal apartments are very richly
fuiniflied, and adorned with fine tapeftries,
paintings, bufts, Itatues, &c. too many to be de-
icribed or enumerated. — Juft without the town,
upon the declivity of a hill, the king has another
ftately and pleafant palace, called El Buen Re-
tiro, or, The good Retreat, it being his ufual re-
tirement in the heat of fummer, or when wearied
with the hurry of the court and city. It con-
fifts of a fpacious fquare, flanked with pavilions
at each corner, having a parterre and a beautiful
fountain in the middle of it. The aparment'a
are large and magnificent, furniflied in the moft
elegant and coftly manner, and embelliflied with
exquifite paintings and other ornaments. As for
the park and gai'dens, they are a perfect paradife,
having
t3« The WONDERS of
hairing fine ftiadj walks, canals, grottos, fouo,*^
tains, ftatoes, and all the pleafing rariety diat
art and nature can produce, to form a delight*
ful retirement*
Though wc hare dwelt fo long upon this
fubje^, we maft not leave it without taking fome
noiice of an ancient caftle or palace at Granada^
built by the M^onfh kings, which is fiill kept
in good repair, and juftly efteemed a WQoder for
its largenefs and magnificence. In the way to
it we pafs by a palace of a more modem date,
built by feme of the kings of Spain, but never
quite finiibed, and now negleiSed and running to
decay. The Mooriih palace appears like a cita-
del, being furrounded with a ftrong wall, fortified
w'.th towers and baftions, and is large enough to
receive a garrifon of forty thoufand men. We
firft enter into a grand court paved with marble^
which has a fountain at each comer, and a fine ca-
nal of fpnng water in the middle of it, from
whence it is conveyed by pipes into the halls and
chixbers c: the palace. Tne whole building is
of free-ilone, but the infide of the walls are lined
with marble, iafper, and porphyry ; the cielings-
of the Toz-^.i : :e - ^ them gilt, and through-
out the f . . ^ hieroglyphical figures
^md infcriptions. Bu: : ^ r :fl beautiful part of
this royal edifice is gjs Iquare called £1
Quadro de los Le re:, .rhich has a fine ftone
gal very r u r ^ r : : - na 1 1, fupported by a hundred
and feve jmns of white marble. In the
e iquare is a noble fountain, where
bafon is fupported by twelve figures,
of i:: : : .v water out of their mouths-
Ince 7- : . T c r :< and gardens, which lie
0:1 the dec! . : . which this palace
ficuated^ are very ce^i^LUidj and the whole
&ni&uie
NATURE AND ART. 231
firu£ture is a fufficient monument of the gran-
deur of the Moorifti princes.
The late royal palace at Lifbon deferves to l^e
mentioned among the reft, not only as a beauti-
ful and ftately fabric* but on account of its ple^-
fant fituation, having a charming profped over the
river Tagus*, w^here it is fo deep, that the largeft
fhips can anchor before the windov^'s of the palace.
The apartments were well difpofed, very richly fur-
nifhed, and adorned with fine tapeftry, paintings,
and other decorations. In it were two galleries
about a hundred paces in length, in the firft and
fecond ftories, with balconies in the window?.
In the third ftory was the royal library, which
contained a great number of .valuable books in
prefles. Within the palace were alfo feveral
large rooms, where the Cortes, or States, the
Council of war, and the Courts of Juftice af-
iemble. The king's chapel was an elegant build-
ing, richly adorned, and ftiining with gold an4
azure, the very fUver alone being valued at nea,r
a million fterling. Adjoining to the palace was
a fquare court furrounded with a piazza, where
the merchants meet, and expofe their goods tp
This palace was ftanding, and appeared with
;the utmoft fplendor, when it was fuddenly de-
ftroyed by that dreadful earthquake, which hap-
pened on the firft of November 1755. This cir-
cumftance will render it neceflary to' give fomeac-
♦ This river has been long famous for its gojden fands
or fmail particles of gold mixed amongft them, as we learn
from Ovid, Mela, Pliny, and ether ancient writers ; and
it is faid the kings of Portugal have a fcepter made of that
^old, than which no purer is to be fouad io the world.
count
The WONDERS of
count of that terrible calamity, which we fliall
do from the obfervations of the reverend Mr,
Clark, who was at Lifbon fo lately as the latter
end of the year 176 !• We paffed, 'fays he,
*^ through fome ftreets, near a mile in length, '
*^ where the houfes were all fallen on each fide,
and lay in that undiftlnguiftied heap of ruin,
into which they funk at the firft convulfive
** fhocks. Not that the reader is to imagine,
that the greateft part of that fine city fell on
that fatal morning ; fo far from it, that, I be-
lieve, not above one-fourth part of it was de-
«'* ftroyed : for it prevailed more in one particular
quarter than the reft ; and there the defolation
** was almoft univerfal, for there was fcarce an
** houfe or building that was not thrown down.
In the other parts of the city, fome fmgle, ill-
conditioned, ruinous buildings fell, but the reft
ftood. And there is fcarce a ftreet but you will
fee ftiores, and props fixed to the buildings on
•* each fide, to prevent their falling even now ;
they having fuffered fo much from the fliocks
they had received. Confidering how much time
<^ has elapfed fince the earthquake, little has
been rebuilt in proportion. — They have built?
a Guftom-houfe, an arfenal, a theatre, and
<^ fome few other buildings. All agree, that the
«^ fire Qccafioncd mtiniteiy more havock than the
*^ earthquake. Tboufands of the inhabitants,
*^ unhappily, in the firft confufion of their fear,
taking the ill-judged ftep of thronging into
the churches ; the doors of which being fome-
times ftiut by the violence of the crowd, and
fomttimes Ijocked by niiftake, when the fir,e
^> feized the roofs of thofe buildings, thefe un-
happy fufferers v/ere moft of them deftroyed.;
fcine by Iheets lead, that poured like a.
NATURE AND ART. 23^
molten deluge upon their heads ; others mafhcd
*^ by the fall of the roofs, and the reft burnt alive.
One's imagination can fcarce form a fcene of
confufion, horror, and death, more dreadful
" than this. After the fhocks were over, the fire
continued burning for many weeks ; and it is
•* thought was one principal caufe of their efcape-
ing the plague, as the putrefaction of the bo-
dies was by that means much lefs.
The calculation of the number that perifh-
ed, as they kept no regifters, muft be in a great
meafure conjectural^ but that thoufands and
ten thoufands were deflroyed, there is no
doubt The morning on which it happened
was moft remarkably ferene and pleafant, par-
^ ticularlv about ten o'clock, and in one quarter
more, all was involved in this dreadful fcene
of terror and deflruilion. As this event pro-
duced many changes, thofe among the com-
mercial parts of the city were not the leaft re-
markable* One, who yefterday was at the eve
of bankruptcy, found himfelf to-day with his
books cleared ; and hundreds, who lived in
eafe and affluence, as foon as they had re-
covered from theii firft pannic and difmay, faw
want and poverty ftare them in the face."
The moft magnificent palace of the king of
Portugal is fituated at Mafra, in a fandy and bar-
ren fpot, in purfuance of a vow made by kin^
John V. to found a convent for the pooreft friary
in the kingdom. Uf>on enquiry, the meaneft
convent appeared to be at Mafra, where twelve
Francifcans lived together in a hut. In order to
accomplifti this vow, the king procured from
Rome the draught of a building, that was great-
ly to exceed the Efcurial in Spain, already de-^
icxibed, and this he ereded. In the centre
iiands
234 The WONDERS op
ftands a temple built entirely of marble ; and be-
hind the choir, is a houfe endowed with a large
revenue for two hundred capuchins, who officiate
in this magnificent church as chaplains. To the
right of this building is a fuperb and fpaciouspa-*
Jacefor the king, the royal family, and the chief of-^
ficers of the court. On the left is another palace
equal in grandeur to the former, for the patri-
arch and twenty-four canons, who have the pri-
vilege of wearing mitres. Twelve thoufand
people were employed in raifing thefe rtruc-
tures, which are faid to have coft three-fourth3
of the royal treafure, and of the gold brought by
the Brazil fleets. At the diftance of a mile from
the church ftands an elegant houfe encompafied
by a fmall wood, which, in this fandy wafte, has
a fine efFe£t. . The palace at Mafra being feated
near the fea, ferves for a land-mark.
The king of Portugal has likewife a large and
beautiful palace at Villa Vitiofa, where, fincethe
deftruclion of that at Lifbon, he generally re*
fides. This palace has a park three leagues in
circumference.
We fhall now take notice of fome remarkable
buildings of a different kind in Spain. In the ci-
ty of Madrid is a grand fquare, called the
Pla^a Mayor, four hundred and thirty-fix feet
long, encompafi!ed with noble piazzas, in the
front of 136 ftately houfes, built with the utmoft
uniformity, continued rows of balconies joining
one to another ; and no houfe being permitted
to vary in the leaft from the general form of the
building, either iu the windows, balconies, or
other ornaments. In this fquare are celebrated
the bull-baitings, which we fhall hereafter de-
fcfibe, and the other public ibews of Madrid, it
bein^i
NATURE AND ART. 235
'l)elxig fo fpacious as to contain, with great eafe,
5C5OOO fpeftators.
At Valladolid is likewife a great fquare, with
a piazza, the exaft model of that at Madrid,
confifting of 500 arches, and 300 windows, all
in full viev/, with 330 ftately gates leading into
thofe buildings.
We fliall conclude this article with taking no-
tice of fome of the moft remarkable aqueducts
and bridges in Spain. One of the moft extraor-
dinary ftructures of the former kind is the Sego-
vian aquedu£l, which extends to a fmall river
called Rio Frio, that rifes in the Ikirts of a pafs in
the mountains, and takes from it as much water
as wpuld fill a du£l capable of containing a hu-
man body. It is received into an arch of ftone,
at the diftance of 500 paces from the city of
Segovia, and from thence begins to run in the
channel of the aqueduft, which does not require
more elevation than 17 feet. By little and
little the height increafes as it comes to deeper
ground, but without requiring more than one
range of arches, till the water has palfed over
65, where the arch is of the height of 39 feet, clofe
toaFrancifcan convent. There beginning to wind
from eaft to weft, they require two ranges of
arches, one arch being put upon the other. In
the part, where the valley is the loweft, the aque-
du6l is 102 feet high ; the channel enters by the
battlements of the walls, with an extreme ele-
vation from the ground to the top of the arch,
and the aquedudl: extends through the middle of
the city, from eaft to weft, with an arched duSt
fo large, that a man may walk in it y and from
thence dividing, it extends to the public foun-
..tains, and the cifterns of convents and private
houfes. This ftrudure confifts of 161 arx:h«s
of
236 The wonders of
of hewn ftone, which is a kind of blueifh granite.
It was doubtlefs built by the ancient Romans,
and fome attribute rt to th^ emperor Trajan. In
two niches on the higheft part, were formerly
ftatues of Hercules, which are now changed for
thofe of our lady of St. Sabaftran.
There is a bridge over the Guadiana at Ba-
dajoz, which is a ftately fabric of ftone, confift-
ing of thirty arches, and above five hundred
yards in length. — At Saragofl'a there are two noble
bridges over the Ebro, the one of flone, the
other of wood, which latter is reckoned the finc^
of the kind in Europe. — Nor muft we forget the
magnificent bridge over the Manzanarez at Ma-
drid, built by Philip the Second, which is very
long and lofty *. — To thefe we may add the fine
bridge over the Mondego at Coimbfa in Portu-
gal, confifting of a double range of arches oriC
above another, forming a covered way, through
which people pafs, without being expofed to th«
weather. And many more might be mentioned,
but the detail would be dry and tedious.
Of the Spaniards and Portuguese.
T HE Spaniards have been alvvays remark-
able for their grave and folemn behaviour,
but they begin to leave ofF their ancient faflhions,
and at court copy in their drefs the French,
Hence they do not always appear abroad in a
* As the Manzanarez is a fmall river, and almoft dry m
fommer, it gave occafion to a pleafaiit laying of a certain
ambaffador, who faw it at that feafon. That they fhould
cither buy water, or fell the bridge. — However, the river
does not always appear fo delpicahle, beij-^g fometimes very
much Iwelled by rains or melted fuows fciihng from the
fiiountains.
fllort
NATURE AND ART. 237 \
\
flinrt cloak and coat, with a long (word, curled
wbi (leers, and a pair of fpedlacles on their nofe.
With refpe£l to their morals, they are remark- |
able both for their frugality and their love of ]
pomp, their abhorrence of drunkennefs, their ]
fidelity, valour and intrepidity. The baron de ;
Mcntefquieu, in his Spirit of Laws, otferves, |
that they have been in all ages famous for their |
honefty and fidelity, that they have frequently |
faltered death rather than reveal a fecret, and ]
that all the nations who trade to Cadiz, readily 1
truft their fortunes to the Spaniards, and have i
never yet repented of their having repofed too
niuch confidence in their integrity ; and this our ^
merchants who trade thither have always expe-
rienced. On the other hand, they are too much i
giveii to women, and their jealoufy, where either ]
a wife, daughter, fifter, or even miftrefs is con- i
cerned, feldom fails to end in bloodfhed ; for they
think no means too cruel, bafe, or unjuft, either \
to gratify their revenge, or wipe off any ftain \
c.aft upon their honour. Pride of birth is no i
where carried to a greater height ; and the infi- ^
iiuation that a man is defcended from the Moors, ]
is fufficient to make him vindicate the purity of ;
his blood, by Irabbing the flanderer, or caufing 1
him to be privately affaffniated. Yet the fame :
warmth of temper^ which excites them to re- |
venge, renders them open to friendftiip, and i
ready to exert th^mfelves in the generous and \
fxiendly offices of humanity. In fhort, they have 1
a mixture of the raoft amiable virtues, and themoft ^
fliocking vices ; and while they afFedl a haugh- j
ty air to thofe with whom they are unacquaint- ]
ed, no people upon earth are more courteous to I
t<hofe with whom they are intimate. They hate ■
t)ie French, not only on account of their being
too
238 The WONDERS or
too much carefled at court, but from their bein»*
fiiocked and difgufted at their fprightlinefs and le*»
Yity, fo oppofite to their own natural gravity^
while they are, in general, fond of the Englifh,
and the common people frequently cry. Let us
have a peace with England^ and a war with all
the world befides.
The women are generally very lean, and have
black eyes, flat bofoms, and fmall feet, and tho*
the men fit on chairs, the ladies fit crcfs-^legged
on velvet cuftiions, a cuftom which they derived
from the Moors. They are faid to be addicted to
painting their faces, tho' in moft places they are
kept much at home by the jealoufy of their huf^
bands.
One of the greateft inconveniencies a ftfanger
-finds in travelling through this country, is the
wretched accommodations to be met with in the
public roads. The reverend Mr. Clerk obferves^
that you mu ft. abfolutely carry your provifions and
bedding along with you ; and even then, unlefs
you can lie down in your cloaths, eat eggs, oni-
ons, and cheel^ ; fleep while your mules reft,
rife the moment you are called, and fet out early
in the morning before the heat comes on, yon
will fare ill as a traveller. It is a good method,
fays he, to carry dry tongues with you, hard eggs,
fome portable foup, tea, fugar, and fpirituous
liquors, not forgetting even pepper and fait ; and
whenever you meet with good bread, meat, fowls^
and wine, always to buy them, whether you
want them or not, becaufe you know not what
to-morrow may produce. A knife, fork, and
fpoon, are abfolutely neceflary, for you will find
none; nor (hould you omit a candleftick, wax
candles, and a pair of fnufFers ; but great care
muft be taken to carry as few books as poffible,
left
NATURE AND ART. 239
left they fliould be feized by the Inquifition, and
neither tobacco nor rum, which are contraband
goods, and may occafion the detention, if not
the feizure, of your baggage.
A tafte for gallantry and dancing prevails
univerfally in Spain, and thefe are the two ruling
paflions of the country. The latter is their fa-
vourite entertainment, and their graveft matrons
never think themfelves excluded by age from this
diverfion ; hence it is not uncommon to fee the
grandmother, mother, and daughter all joining in
the fame dance.
Tho' the men and women all wear the fame
drefs in the ftreet and at mafs, yet the ladies in
their private vifits wear as great a variety of drefs,
and of a much richer fort than thofe in England.
The Spaniards ufually breakfaft tnd fup in bed ;
their breakfaft is generally chocolate, they fel-
doni drinking tea. Their dinner is ufually a
pochero, or beef, veal, mutton, pork, bacon
and greens boiled together: but if it be a richer
or more expenfive mixture of meats and delica-
cies, it is then termed an Olla Podrida, or what
we term an Olio. They are fond of garlic, and
have a proverb, that olives, fallad, and radifhes,
are food for gentlemen.
The number of fervants, kept by the gran-
dees and people of the firft rank, is exceeding
great, for fome of them have 3 or 400 domeftics,
and theEnglifh ambaffador, in compliance with the
tafte of the country, keeps near a hundred. As
their coaches are ufually drawn by four mules,
they have two poftilions, with generally four,
and fometimes fix footmen behind the coach. In
the hot weather they take out the fides and backs
of their coaches, for the fake of the air. They
fcldom ufe a fedan, and when they do, they
have
240 The WONDERS of
have always two footmen who go on each fide
the hindmoft chairman, in order to hold him up,
in cafe he ftumbies. There are alfo two on each
fide of the fedan, and two who follow behind
with lanthorns, tho* it be in the middle of the
day.
The moft favourite diverfion of the Spaniards
and Portuguefe being their Bull-feafts, which are
peculiar to thofe nations, we fhall give a parti-
cular defcriptioii of one of them exhibited in the
Pla^a Mayor on the 15th of July 1760. I he
fquare was thronged with people, and all the bd-
conies ornamented with difFcj^ent coloured fiiks,
and the houfcs crowded from the top to the bot-
tom. A Hoping fcaftold w^as alfo placed round
for the common people, and raifed a6out eight or
nine feet from the ground.
The cavaliers who were to fight the bulls, were
four in number, and came in tour coaches, of a
fingular make, with glafies at the ends, and
quite open at the fides, from whence they bowled
to the people in the balconies, and were accom-
panied by their fponfers, the dukes of Ofluna,
Banos, Arcos, and iVIedina Cceli. Before the roval
family came, a company of halberdiers, followed
by feven or eight of the king's coaches, preceding
his coach of ftate, which was extremely rich,
the pannels being beautifully painted, and the
whole adorned with gilding. This was followed
by a coach with fome of the great cfEcers, and
next came the king and queen in a magnificent
coach painted blue, w.th the ornaments of folid
filver, and a crown at the top : the trappings
of the horfes were likewife adorned with filver
and large white plumes. Then followed the
coaches of the prince of Afturias, the two In-
fantas, and Don Lewis, with their attendants.
NATURE AMD ART. x+i
Trf^iR majefties fat oppofite to the balcony oc
the Englifli ambaflador, in which was our author.
This laft was gilt, and had a canopy and cur-
tains of fcarlet and gold. On the right hand of
the king's balcony, which was alfo magnificent-
ly adorned, were placed the reft of the royal fa-
mily, and on the left the gentlemen of the bed-
chamber in a row, drefled in a uniform of blue
and red, richly embroidered with gold. At length
two companies of boys, in an uniform of red
tafFety jackets and caps, v/atered the fquare, and
then came the fix chief alguazils of the city,
mounted on fine horfes covered with rich trsp-
plngs, and dreffed in the old Spanifh habit, black
with flafiied fleeves, great white flowing wigs,
and their hats adorned with feathers of different
colours, advanced towards the king's balcony,
under which they were obliged to ft^y to receive
his orders.
The troops belonging to the cavaliers at,
length entered the fquare in four large companies,
drefled in filk Moorifh liveries, elegantly orna-
mented with lace and embroidery : thefe firft
bowed to the king's balcony, and then v/ent in pro-
cefEon round the fquare. After them came the four
cavaliers, or knights in the old Spanifli drefs^
with plumes in their bats, mounted on fine horfes^.
cach holding in his hand a {lender lance, and at-
tended by two men on foot, drefTed in light filk
of the colour of his livery, with clo;jks of the
fa^me : thefe never forfake his fide, and are his
principal defence. The cavaliers then difpofe
themfelves for the encounter, the firft placing
himfelf oppofite to the door of the place w^jerc
the bulls are Jcept, aa^ the xjther at fome diftaucQ
behind him.
yot.L M At
The Wonders ot-
At a fignal given by his majefty, the doors'
opened, and the bull appeared, to the found of
martial mufic, and the loud acclamations of th©
people, when feeing one of the attendants of the
firft cavalier fpreading his cloak before hira, he
armed dire6l]y at him ; but the man eafily avoid-
ed him, and gave his mafter an opporrtunity of
breaking his fpear in the bull's neck. In the fame
manner the bull v/as tempted to engage the other
cavaliers, and aWavs v^ith the fame fuccefs, till
being wounded by each of their lances, he was
encountered by the other men on foot, who after
playing with him with incredible agility, as long
as they thought proper, eafily difpatched him by
thrufling a Iword either into his neck or fide,
which brings him to the ground, and then they
ilrike a dagger orfword behind his horns into the
Ipine, v/hich is always immediate d-eath. After
this the bull is hurried ofF by mules finely adorn-
ed with rich trappings.
The cavaliers being at length fufHciently tire<i
with thefe exploits, the king gave them leave ta
retire, and bulls of a more furious nature were let
cut one at a time from another door, and were
encountered by men on. foot, who w^re fo far
frorn fearing their rage, that they ftrove to in-
cr^eafe it by darting at^them little barbed darts, or-
namented with bunches of paper, fome of v/hicH
were filled with gunpowder, and no fooner ftuck
in the bull, than they went off like a fcrpent.
They had alfo goat fkins blown up with wind, and
increafed the fury of the bull by placing them
before him, which rnade a very ridiculous part of
the entertainment. Many of the bulls^ how-
ever, would not attack them, aad one of the
moft furious that did, fhewcd more fear than i|i -
encotmtering the mo^ fturdy antagonitt.
Our,
t^ATURE Ann ART. ?4g
Our author's apprehenfions were at firft prin-
cipally excited for the men on foot, but the ca-
valiers were in much more danger, their horfes
i3eing too full of fire to be exadlly governed, and
were every moment in danger of being over-
thrown indeed two beautiful horfes were gored,^
one of which was overthrown with his rider, wha'
had the good fortune to eicape unhurt. The
courage of tliefe horfes is fo great, that they have
been often known' to advance towards the bull,
when their bowels have been trailing on the
ground.
Thi5 fpeftacle, our author adds, is one of the
ilneft in the world, whether it be confidered
merely with refpe£l to the fplendor of the fight,-
or as an exertion of the amazing agility and dex-
terity of the performers. The Spaniards are fa
devoted to it, that the very women would pawn
their laft rag to fee it. Nothing can be imagined
more crowded than the houfes even to the tbp of
the ridges ; and dearly do they pay for their plea-
fure, by being pent together in the hotteft fun^
ajid with the mofb fufFocating heat that can be
endured. This is certainly a remnant of Moorifli,.
and, perhaps, Roman barbarity ; but tho' it will
not bear the fpeculation of the clofet, or the
compaffionate feelings of the tender heart, which
muft brand it with the name of cruelty ; yet it
muft be confefled, that it has all the good effects
of chivalry, and teaches to defpife danger, and to
afford a generous affiftance to thofe en2;ag€d wkk
us in dangerous and difficult enterprifcs.
The bull feail in this magnificent fquare, 1».
never exhibited but upon fome extraordinary oc-
cafion, as the acceffion or marriage of their
kings ; but there is a theatre without the walls^
wJicre there are bull feafts every fgrtiiigh't^ wliick'
M z ' ar^
244 The WONDERS of
are, by fome people, greatly preferred to thj
others 5 for tho' there is little difference in the
manner of engaging the bulls, yet they being
more furious, this is attended with ftill greater
danger.
The fame reverend divine, from whom we^
have borrowed the above defcription of the bull
feaft, gives us a very ftrange idea of the Spanifli
theatre, which he vifited at the feafon for acting
the Autos, or plays, in fupport of the Catholic
Faith. The theatre made a good appearance with
refpe£t to its fize and fliape, but v/as fomewhat
dirty and ill-lighted ; and what v/as even worfe,
had an equal mixture of day-light and candles.
The prompter appeared with his head through a
little trap-door, above the level of the ftage, and
read the play loud enough to be heard by the
people in the boxes. The pit made a motly ap-
pearance, many {landing in their night-caps and
cloaks, while officers and foldiers were interfperfed
among the dirtieft mob. Indeed the fide and front
boxes were filled with perfons well drefled, and
that which anfwered to our two fhilling gallery,
was filled with women all in the fame uniform,
a dark petticoat, and a white woollen veil. The
actors were indeed dr^fled even in richer cloaths
than thofe worn in our theatres, and thefe they
perpetually changed, in order to fhew the ex-
penfive variety of their wardrobe. After feveral
tedious and infipid fcenes was an interlude of hu-
mour. One of the comedians addrefled a lady
who fung very agreeably, and offered her a purfe
of money ; mean while a man brought in three
barbers blocks, which he placed upon the ftage,
and firft drefled in men's cloaths ; but then un-
dreffing them, he clothed them in women's ap-
parel. Soon after came in three men, who were
refolved
^NATURE AND ART.
245
rcfblved to tempt thofe three ladies, but they
proved inflaxibly coy, and their gallants in a
little time difcovered their miftake. At length,
after fome tirefome, uninterefting fcenes, filled
with fuftian and bombaft, an adlor drefled in a
Jong purple robe, in the charafter of Chrift,
preached to the four quarters of the world in their
proper drefles ; Europe and America heard him
•with joy, but Afia and Africa preferved their in-
fidelity. The perfon who then reprefented the
blefled Saviour, was foon after blindfolded, buf-
feted, fpit upon, bound, fcourged, crowned with
thorns, and compelled to bear his crofs; when
kneeling down, he cried Padre mi! Padre mi !
Father ! Father ! why haft thou forfaken me !
After this, placing himlelf againft the wall, with
his hands extended, as if on the crofs, he imi-
tated the expiring agonies of our Saviour. A%
length, .one of the adrelTes unbound him, took
oft' his crown and purple robes ; and he, putting
on his wig and coat, joined the reft of the adlors
in a dance. Afterwards one of the aftrefies, in
a longfpeech, explained the nature and defign of
the facraments ; and the play concluded with
Chrift appearing in a (hip triumphant.
Our author foon after went to fee a regular
comedy, and had two other Englifh gentlemen in
the fame box with him. They underftood very
little of the firft aft, in which appeared a
king, a queen, and an enchantrefs, but the inter-
lude, with which it was concluded was extremely
low. The fcene reprefented the infide of a Spa-
nifti inn during the night : three feather-beds,
and as many blankets, were brought upon the
ftage : the queen and her maids of honour, perfo-
nating the miftrefs of the inn and her maids, im-
mediately began to make the beds. Afterwards
M 3 fix
The WONDERS ty
fix men came, in order to lie there ; and ont tt
them being a mifer, had rolled his money in ao
er 30 pieces of paper. They undrefled before
the ladies, by pulling ofF fix or feven pair of
breeches, and as many coats and waiftcoats, and
got into bed, tv/o and two : the jeft now con-
iiied in feeing them kick the cloaths off one an-
other, and then fight, as the fpecftator is to fup-
f ofe, in the dark. The abfurdity and ridicu-
loumefs cf this fcene, fays our reverend au-
thor, made us laugh immoderately. The fight
of the feather-beds, the men kicking and fprawl-
*^ ing, the peals of applaufe that echoed through the
houfe, were truly inconceivable ; tho, I believe^
our neighbours in the next box, thought we laugh-
ed at the wit and humour of the author. It was
a fcene that beggars allpollible defcription, and
>' I defy any theatre in Europe, but that of Madrid^
*^ to produce fuch another." When this interlude
was finifhed, it was fucceeded by fome other fcenes
between the king, queen, enchantrefs, and th«
reft of the a£lors. Five or fix of them drew
their fv/ords upon this powerful enchantrefs^
who boldly parried them with her wand, and to
their great amazement, retired unhurt into her
cell. At other times, the enchantrefs killed with
a look, and reftored to life with a fecond. In
ihort, after feveral ridiculous incidents, the cn-^
chantrefs becomes reformed, renounces the devil
and all his works, and embraces the Catholic
Faith. Thcfe dramatic pieces are indeedfar from
being the beft of the kind.
The Spaniards are not wanting in capa-
city for the fciences, yet little progrefs can be
expefted from them, while they are debarred
the ufe of their natural talents ; for the clergy
not being very learned themfeives, it is a point
NATURE AN0 ART. 247
if policy in them to fuppfefs all fcientifical know- |
ltdgc among the laity. Hence, the' Spain has j
no lefs than twenty-two univerfities, and feveral |
academies, they are under fuch reftricSlions, that ]
thofe who attend them, can never make any {
figure in literature ; however, in hiflory the |
' Spaniards have many valuable writers, but it is I
dangerous to defcend too near to the prefent '
time. In poetry they have many writers, befides
the celebrated Lopes de Vega, who wrote an he- !
toic poem, called The Conqueft of Jerufalem, with ''i
feveral tragedies and comedies that have been :
juflly admired; but thofe v/hich are now mo'ft I
' frequently afted are miferable performances, and, i
as the reader has feen, a mixture of religion and buf- |
foonery. Indeed their fongs havea pleafing air of ^
" fimplicity, and in fome of them are much fenti- |
ihent as well as dignity : thofe upon love are ex-
tremely chafte, and fome of them have a pleafing 1
air of romance, while they are at the fame time ■
grave, majeftic and penfivej like the people J
themfelves. The moft celebrated writers of hu- '
mour in profe are Cerveritesand Guevara. How- !
ever, in phyftc and furgery, they are faid to be \
it leaft two centuries behind the Englifh ; but
^here the people are firmly perfuaded that fainis, S
iniracles, and charms can be procured to cure the !
moft inveterate difeafes, there muft be little in-
rftnation to have recourfe to art. ;
It is now time to give fome aiccount of th^ 1
manners of the Portuguefe, who are generally cha-
rafterized as being cruel, treacherous, malicious,
and revengeful, both to one another, and to <
ftrangers ; crafty in their dealings, and the fhearier
fart addifted to thieving. In pride they excefed ^
the Spaniards, for the grandees and their ladies ^
ftimd upon the niceft ptmaHios with refpe£l to
M 4 rank ]
248 The WONDER S of
rank and titles ; even the ladies arc ferved by
their maids and flaves on the knee ; and in-
ileed women of quality will fcarce be fpoken to
by mean people in any other pofture. De Farca,
a Portuguefe writer, fays of hrs Countrymen,
The nobility think thernfelves gods, and re-
1' quire a fort of adoration ; the gentry afpire to
equal them, and the common people difdain
to be thought inferior to either." However,
in thefe general charadlers of whole nations, it
v/ould be the greateft injuftice to extend them to
every individual ^ and thofe who have been long
acquainted with the Portuguefe, will give their
teftimony, that there are many noble exceptioA3
to this. general character.
The Portuguefe ladies are fmall of ftature,
Tvith their complexions inclining to the olive.
Their features are delicate, but their vifage thin.
They have fparkiing eyes, and their hair is blaclc
and fnining. They have a good (hare of wit,
and it is but doing them juftice to fay, that th?
greateft part of them are generous, . charitable,
and modeft. They wear hoops and feveral gown«
one over another, of rich fluffs trimmed with,
gold andfilver lace. Their ftioes are of black Spa-
nifli leather, ftrait as a glove 3 and when they go
abroad, they have a kind of filk fandals fattened
to rings that raife them half a foot from th«
ground, and make them walk very aukwardly*
Their ftays are high before, but fcarce reach half
way up their backs, and would expofe the tawny
complexion of their fkins, if their (houlders were
not covered with paint. Their hands and feet
are fmall and well-proportioned ; and their wide
fleeves, with broad ruffles buttoned at the wrifts,
make their hands appear lefs than they are. The
people of quality wear very fine linen^ and as
NATURE AND ART. 249
this is fcarce and dear, the meaner fort have
none ; for rather than wear coarfe linen, they
wiil go without. The ladies wear about their
necks a broad laced tucker ; and inftead of a
girdle, tye a firing of medals, or reliques, or
perhaps the cord of fome religious order, about
their waift, the ends of which reach down to the
ground. Acrofs the top of the ftays, they have
a kind of breaft-plate of diamonds, from whence
hangs either a chain of pearls, or ten or twelve
little knots of diamonds. They have likewife
bracelets, pendants, and rings in abundance,
but no necklaces. In their hair they wear a va-
riety of precious ftones, fometimes in the form of
artificial butterflies, or other infects, and fome-
times they adorn their hair with ribbons and fea-
thers of various colours, but when they go
abroad they throw a veil over all. The Portu-
guefe gentlemen generally v/ear black, and thofe
pf the court frequently follow the French fafliion.
With refped to their houfes, the floors and
cielings are formed of plain white plaifter, that
looks like poliftied marble. Their furniture and
apartments are changed according to the feafon of
the year; and upon the lower floor of their fum-
mer apartments, they ufually throw water every
morning, which foon dries up, and leaves a re-
frefhing coolnefs. Upon thefe floors they fpread
fine mats, and cover the walls with them chair-high,
and above are hung pictures and looking-glafl^es ;
but round the rooms of the ladies apartments are
cufhions of filk or velvet, which they fit upoa
crofs-legged, like the Spanlfh ladies. Between
the cufhions are fine tables and cabinets ; and at
certain diftances vafes of filver, in which are
orange or jeflamine trees, and in the windows
they have frames of ftraw-work to keep out the
M 5 fun.
^50 Th* WONt)iEIlS of
fun. In the upper apartments the hangings,
paintings, plate, looking-glalles, and cabinets,
are extremely rich, and the floors frequently co*
vered v/ith Turkey carpets. In fummer they
have only very thin curtains, but in w^inter their
beds and hangings are of velvet trimmed with
gold or filvcr lace. Veflels of copper, tin^ or
pewter, are faid to be never feen in the houfes of
perfons of quality, where they only ufe filver, or
earthen ware; and have many dozens of filver
plates, and a great number of difhes of the fame
metal. But amidft all this wealth, the bad ceco-
jiomy of the grandees reduces them to a necef-
fitous condition, even while they are encompafFed
v/ith this fplendor : for they are above infpe£ting
the accounts of their ftewards, and it is beneath
them to endeavour to beat down the price of any
thing they purchafe, or even to take change of a
fhop- keeper out of a piece of gold. As a tradef-
man frequently gives feven or eight years credit,
he is obliged to fet down double the price the
goods might be bought for with ready money :
the tradefmen, however, feldom lofe their debts,
for the Spanifh and Portuguefe grandees have fo
much honour, that when prefied for money by
iheir tradefmen, they readily affign a part of their
rents for the payment.
The houfes of the grandees are crowded with
doineftics ; for feme of them have 4 or 500 of
both fexes, the greateft part of whom are merely
for fnew. Befides thefe they have abundance of
dvy arfs, v/ho are dreflld as fine as poffible ; and
have many Moorifti Haves, thefe laft being their
heit fervants ; for the others wnll fometimes pride
themfelves cn having as good blood as their maf-^
ters. The very beggars rather demand than fup-
pUcate an alrn^), alledging their being old Chnf-
tians|
NATURE Af^D ART. i^i
tians ; and if you give them no money, they muft
be diimilTed with a compliment. For being an
old Chriftian, or, in other words, of an ancient
Chriftian race, is both in Spain and Portugal
efteemed the higheft honour, and far faperior t6
\vhat is termed a New Chriftian, or a Half Nevi^
Chriftian, by which laft they mean thofe whof^
new converted anceftors have been married to old
Chriftians.
The food of the Portaguefc is nearly the faiiie
with that of the Spaniards ; the men mix water
lyvith their wine, and the women generally drink
only water. It is cuftomary with them, as v/ell
^s with the Spaniards, to betake themfelves to
fleep about noon, on account of the heat, and to
tranfaft moft of their bufmefs in the morning and
'evening, or even at night.
They travel here much in the fame manner as
in Spain, only the Portuguefe have fewer coaches,
and travel more by water than the Spaniards, the
country lying along the fea coaft, and being crof-
fed by many great rivers that rife in Spain. The
mule or the litter are generally ufed on a journey :
Their horfes, which are fprightly, and well-
made, ferve indeed for ftiort vifits, to prance at^a
procelTion, or before the windows of their mif-
trefles ; but the mules, for one of which fifty or
fixty guineas is frequently given, are fitteft to
climb their mountains.
The ftate of learning in Portugal, is at as
low an ebb as poffible. There are indeed univer-
fities at Coimbra and Evora : at Lifbon is a royal
academy for the Portuguefe hiftory ; at Sarita-
rene is an academy of hiftory, antiquities, arid
ianguages ; and at St. Thomas's is ah acadeniy
of fciences on the fanie footing with that at Paris;
hut while bigotry ciohtiniies h^re its ptef^nt
M 6 enormpue
7S2 The wonders of
enormous height, it is impoffible that fclenca
iliould ever flourifli. An Italian capuchin in
17465 pubiiflied a work in the Portuguefe tongue
on the true method of ftudy, in four volumes
quarto, which he dedicated to his Portuguefe ma-
jefty, and there aflerts, that the fchools of this
country are places of retreat for thofe errors which
Newton and Des Cartes have driven out of the
other parts of Europe ; and he even obferves,
that thofe great lights of the world, Galilaeo,
Des Cartes, Newton, and Gaffendi, are con-
fidered ii, Portugal as atheifts and heretics, not
to be mentioned but with feme marks of execra-
tion. Thu3 D'Oliveira, a Portuguefe author^
fays, in the preface to the firft volume of his
Memoirs, In our country v/e live in ignorance
without knov/ing it^ but on leaving Portugal^
our eyes fcem fuddenly to open, and we imme-
diatcly fee that ignorance in which we were
involved. Foreigners allov/ us underftanding,
dcciiity, morals, difcerrment, and a genius
for comprehending what is commendable and
^'•good; but our conceit, our gravity, our con-
*' fined manner of life, which deprive us of all
freedom of thought, expofe us to juft cenfures^
and give rife to thofe hateful opinions other
nations entertain of us."
The Portuguefe not only negleft agriculture,,
to fuch a degree, that half the country lies wafte^
but ^ all arts and manufactures, tho' the country
has the iineft materials, which they difpofe of
un wrought to foreigners, and v/hen worked up^
purchafe them again at a high price. They
indeed make a little linen, a variety of firaw-
work, and candy feveral kinds of fruit, particu-
larly o nges. They have alfo fome coarfe fillc
v.oolen manufa^ures, but thefe are trifling ar-
NATURE AND ART. 253
tides, that fupport only a fmall part of the na*
tion.
They, however, carry on a very extenfivc
trade, but reap very little profit from it, they be-
ing obliged to vend, not only their ow^n produce,
but all the merchandife and riches brought from
their fettlements, in other parts of the globe, to
the Europeans, and particularly the Englilh and
Dutch, in exchange for corn and manufactured
goods of all kinds, with which they fupply both
Portugal and its poflelTions abroad. The chief
commodities of the Portuguefc are imported from
their own colonies, and particularly from Brazil 5
thefe are tobacco, cacao-nuts, fugars, fpices,
drugs, ivory, ebony. Brazil-wood, hides, gold,
diamonds, pearls, and other valuable gems.
Though moft of the Spanifh wool is fent
-abroad unwrought, yet it muft be acknowledged,
that the woollen manufactory at Segovia is very
confiderable. At Toledo, Granada, and fome
other places, they weave tafFeties, damafks, and
velvets, but none of the beft ; though a vaft
number of hands are employed in the filk manu-
facture in feveral parts of the kingdom. The
quantity of filk produced in Spain is almoft in-
credible ; for we are told, that in the neighbour-
hood of Murcia only, they have fuch plenty of
mulberry-trees, and feed fuch numbers of filk-
worms, as yield them annually 2CO,coo pound
weight of that valuable commodity.
In the province of Bifcay they manufacture
great quantities of iron, whole towns being fil-
led with fmiths, cutlers, and other mechanics,
employed in various works of iron and fteel, efpe-
cially in making fwords and fire-arms, for which
they are particularly famous. — The city of Cor-
^ua in Andalufia is noted for a curious fort ef
leather^
tS+ tHE WONDERS 6¥
leather, in great requeft there as well as iit
other counties *.
If is hardly to 6e conceived what vaft quanti-
ties of wine and oil are made in Spain and Por-
tugal, which (together v^ith their raifins, oranges,
letiians, and other fruits) are chiefly taken off by
England and Holland. The moll noted Spanim
wines are thofe of Galicia, Alicant, Malaga, Bar-
eelbna, and Xere^ de la Frontera, in which laft
eity and its neighbourhood 'tis faid they mikfe
tivery year about 5o,ooo pipes of that generous
#ine from thence called Sherry. But the greatefl
jiart of the wine confumed in England is brought
from Oporto in Portugal ; and this indeed may hi
reckoned the beft commodity of that kingdom,
their oil and fruits, as well as their manufaftures^
Being inferior to thofe of Spain. Great quanti-
ties of fait are continually exported from Setubal
or St. Ubes by the Dutch and other nations :
and the fait mines of Catalonia yield a confider-
dble revenue to the duke of Gardona, to whoni
they belong.
However, notwithftandihg what has been
faid*, there is in Spain a want of many of the
moft neceflary trades, and of the few they have,
a great part is in the hands of the French, who
ire very numerous here ; for many of the natives,.,
befides their averfion to work, difdaih to ftoop tb'
laborious employments, hence they are obliged
* The leather brought from this city we call Gordouaa
or Cordovan, which being formerly ufed for the upper-lea-
thers of Ihoes, it is probable the terra Cordwainers, by which
our ftatutes denominate Shoemakers, was thence derived
efpecially as the French workmen, who prepare that fort ot
leather, are ftill called Cordoilanniers. — Botfcme derive the
French Cordonnier (Shoemaker) and our Coxdwaihei" fi orii
iCorde, a rope, becaul'e fhdes were anciently made of ccr*
da^e, as they ftill are in fome parts of Spain,
ISTATURE AND ART. ^55
to part with the goM and filver they receive
from America, to purchafe every thing elfe that
can contribute to convenience and fplendor.
Spain is extremely v^ell fituated for trade aiid
navigation : the - Spaniards might therefore be
their own carriers, but this advantage they negieft-,
and leave it to other maritime nations, who turit
it to a very good account. The Spaniards indeed
deny them all accefs to their American domini-
ons, and are fo jealous of having any others iii^
terfere with them in that trade, that no foneig^
Clips muft ever approach their coafts : yet even
from the commerce carriied on in their own fhips^
they receive fmall advantage, they being little
more than fadlors for the French, Englifli^
Dutch, and Italians, who fend their goods td
America by them, and have the greateft fhare in
their return of gold, filver, and other commodi-
ties. The trade to America was formerly carried
©n by the Flota and galleons. The Flota, or
Plate-Fleet, confiftsof a certain number of fhips^
fome belonging to the king, and others to the mer-
chants. Thefe ufed to fet fail from Cadiz t<l
Mexico about Auguft, unlading at Vera CrU5^^
and returning to Spain in 18 or igmonths. The
galleons were two men of war, called Capitana.
and Almiranta, which ferved as convoy to eight or
twelve fhips t}iat put to fea every March or ApriL
Their firlt pof t was Carthagena ; from thence, by
the way of the Havannah, they returned to
Spain ; but fince the year 17375 the Flota and
galleons have been difcontinued, and the Spaniftt
trade to America is carried on in regifter fhips,
which any of their merchants may fend, after
having obtained a permiffion from the council df
the Indies. Thefe fail from Cadiz diredly to Li-
fcia, Buenos Ayres^ Maracaibo, Hgndura?, Ver»
Cruz^
256 The WONDFRS of
Ciuz, and Campeachy. In 1728, an exclufive
charter was granted to a company for trading to
the Caraccas, a permiffion to the inhabitants of
the Canary Iflands only excepted ^ who were al-
lowed to fend thither annually one regifter fhip,
whofe cargo was entirely to confift of the produce
of thofe iflands. In 1756, another company was
erefl-ed for trading to Hifpaniola and Porto Rica,
and fending annually ten regifter fliips to the bay
of Honduras, and the ports of the province of
Guatimala.
The Portuguefe fhips feldom frequent the other
countries of Europe or the Levant, their voyages
chiefly extending to the coafts of Africa, particu-
larly the gold coaft, whence they carry negroes
to Brazil, and alfo purchafe fome gold and ivory.
They likewife trade to their Eaft India colonies^^
of Goa, Diu, and Macao; but this trade, tho^
once very important, is now greatly declined.
Brazil is however ftill a plentiful treafury to
Portugal, and foreigners are entirely excluded
from all commerce with that country. Yet thm
Portuguefe carry on a confiderable clandeftine
traffic with the Spaniards, which chiefly confifts
in the exchange of gold and filver. The fleet
which annually lails to Brazil, goes and returns?
in feven or eight months, and when homeward
bound is convoyed by fome men of war which are
fent to meet it. Their {hips from Africa, or the
Eaft Indies, alfo return in company.
As the Portuguefe, like the Spaniards, may be
confidered as the factors of Europe, their trade is
far from being of the advantage to the country
that it might be. Tho' they want manufaftures,
that are required both for their own confumption,
and the fupply of their colonies, yet the expor-
tation of gold ]§ prohibited by laWi tho' with that:
NATURE AND ART. 257
alone they can pay the balance due to other |
countries for thofe manufaftures. They have |
even behaved with the greateft ingratitude to this ^
nation. It was England, that with a generofity
never paralleled, freely and unafked, fent them a |
fupply of corn and money immediately after their ^
fuffering the late dreadful earthquake ; and it was ^
England that lately faved them from being con- \
quered by the Spaniards, and being obliged to fix
the feat of goverment in Brazil ; yet our mer- j
chants at Lifbon are now greatly opprefied, and I
inftead of that favour and indulgence they had j
the greateft reafon to expert, the Taws are wrefted ^
. ^gainft them, and the greateft part of the commo- ;
dities they want, are purchafed of the French )
and Dutch, to the prejudice of the Englifli, to ^
>vhom they owe their exiftence as a nation.
We fhall conclude this article with feme ob-
fervations on the want of people in Spain, and 3
. the poverty of the inhabitants ; two circumftances \
which appear the more remarkable, as this coun- !
try might be expecSled to be both populous and \
rich, fmce immenfe treafures have been poured ]
into it from abroad, and the ftream of wealth, it \
. might naturally be expeded would attract the j
people of all the countries that want this advan* j
tage. ^ I
The kingdom of Spain isfaidto contain about
(even millions and a half of inhabitants, but it •
would fupport above twice that number, was it
properly cultivated. It is even faid, that in the
-. time of the Goths and Moors, it contained between '
twenty and thirty millions of people. The ufual
reafons alligned for its now being fo thinly inha- i
bited, are, firft, the expulllon of the Moors; ]
for when Ferdinand the Pious took Seville from ]
them, in the year 12485 the feveral diftrids of i
tbU I
1.
Us* Th* WON£>£!lS
thfs kihgdom contained 106,000 populous towrt^
^nd villages ; and when Ferdinand the Catholic
feduced the kingdom of Granada, it confifted of
50 fortified towns, befides an infinite number of
Imaller places, the greateft part of which were
afterwards demolifhed. When Spain was thinned
of its inhabitants by the expulfion of the Moors,
?t NvaB ftill farther depopulated by the vaft num-
bers feht into their American dominions, which
have been a conftant drain that has carried off the
jnoft adlive and enterprizing part of the people.
Other grand caufes of the want of inhabitants is
the decay of thofe arts and manufa6lures, which
formerly flourifhed there, the heavy taxes of the
people, and the number of the convents, ty
-^hich it is faid, that no lefs than 200,000 per-
fons are conftantly reftrained from propagating
their fpecies.
Their poverty is no lefs remarkable^ though,
as it hath been akeady intimated, that the coun-
try is capable of fupporting many millions more
than its prefent inhabitants in the greateft plenty,,
^nd prodigious fums have been poured in from
America. Savala computes, that from the year
149-2, when America was difcovered, to the yeir
1731, about fix thoufand millionsof €ight, in rc-
giftered gold and filver, have been imported into
Spaiii, ekclufive of far greater fums unregiftered,
befides thofe received by foreign merchants from
the Spanifli dominions in America. It even a]^-
pears that, ont year with another, Spain receives
from her American colonies above twenty-fix
millions of pezos, or pieces of eight : yet Uft^-
rit computes, that all the coined and wrought
gold and filver in Spain, including that bdon?-
ihg to churches and private perfons, fcarcely
amounts to oite hundred miilioirs of piaftres. An
ingenious
N A *r U R E AND ART. ifl^
ihgenious author obferves, 'that " Hithertd the !
tide of wealth, which conftantly flowed inter 1
Spain, ran thro' that kingdom like a hafty tor- 1
^ rent, which, far from enriching the country^ \
hurried away with it all the wealth it found irt ;
itspaflage. No country in Europe has reCeiv-
ed fuch vaft treafures as Spain, Iti no country :
in Europe is feen fo little money : for, from the -
time that the Indies fell into the hands of Spaiji^^
the affairs of that monarchy have been con- I
ftantly going backward. In America, their fet- j
tlements were carried on conformably to that i
"genius, and to thofe maxims which prevailed ]
•" in their government in Europe. No means of ;
" retaining their conquefts, but by extirpating ]
the people 3 no fchemes for the advancement of j
trade; no attempts at the reformation of abufes, |
<^ which became venerable, in proportioii to the
-mifchiefs they had fuffered by them ; in govern- i
ment, tyranny 3 in religion, bigotry ; in trlde,
" monopoly. " ]
" When the Spaniards found, to their ambition, 1
** which was boundlefs, that they had joined .a \
treafure which was inexhauftible, they irna-*
gined there was nothing too vafl for them to ]
coi^paft* They embraced a thoufand proj6(^$ ^
at oticc ; many of them noble ones in theory^ \
but to be executed with different ihftrument^ ;
*' in different parts of the world ; and all at a
vaft expence of blood and treafure. The wars, 1
which were the refult of thele fchemes, and the i
" Indies, which Were to fupport them, were a j
continual drain, which carried off their people, \
" and deftroyed all induftry in thofe who remain- ]
" ed. The treafure which flowed in every year ^
from the new world, found them in debt to i
every part of the old j for to the reft of their
revenues^ ^
26o The WONDERS, &c,
revenues they had forgot to add that, whl^
is a great revenue itfelf, and the great, fupport
*^ of all the others, ccconomy. On the contrary,'
an ill order in their finances at home, and a
devouring ufury abroad, fwallowed up all their
treafure, whilft they multiplied the occafion
for it. With the beft fcheming heads in Eu-
rope, they were every v/here outrivalled ; with
brave and well-difciplined troops, they were
almoft always defeated ; with the greateft trea-
fures, they were in want ; and their armies
were ill provided, and ill paid. Their friends
exhaufted them by trade ; their enemies hy
plunder. They faw new ftates arife out of the
*^ fragments of their dominions ; and new ma-
ritime powers ftart up from the wrecks of their
^' navy. In fliort, they provoked, troubled, and
enriched all Europe; and atlaft defifted through
mere vvant of ftrength. They v/ere inaftive,
but not quiet ; and they were enervated as much
by their lazinefs, during this referve, aa
" they had been weakened before by their ill-
judged activity. At prefent the politics of
Spain, Avith regard to America, feem to be to
preferve South America, and particularly the
navigation of the South-Seas as much as pof-
fible to themfelves ; to deftroy efFedually the
contraband trade, and to encourage the export
*^ of their own manufadures."
End of Vol. L
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